Asensio comes out, Real takes 2 goals: Federico Valverde explodes after Celta Vigo

Real Madrid escaped with a 3-2 victory over Celta Vigo, but it was a win that raised more questions than answers. What should have been a routine triumph turned into a nail-biting finish, leaving fans unsettled and Federico Valverde visibly frustrated.

At one point, everything seemed to be going according to plan. Real Madrid led 3-0 after 67 minutes, showcasing dominant football spearheaded by the electric duo of Arda Güler and Kylian Mbappé. The Bernabéu faithful were already beginning to celebrate a comfortable win. But football, as always, had other ideas.

Just minutes after Raúl Asensio was subbed off and replaced by young Jacobo Ramón, the momentum shifted dramatically. The change was intended to preserve energy ahead of the upcoming El Clásico, but it backfired spectacularly. Two minutes after the substitution, Celta Vigo capitalized on a corner—one that arguably should not have been awarded—to pull a goal back.

Rather than regaining their composure, Real Madrid’s defense became visibly shaken. Panic set in, and Celta Vigo, smelling blood, struck again in the 76th minute. What once looked like a dominant display now risked turning into a humiliating collapse.

From the sidelines, Carlo Ancelotti watched nervously as his backline buckled under pressure. Courtois was called into action several times, delivering crucial saves that ultimately preserved the three points. But even he could only do so much. The match, once under firm control, had spiraled into chaos.

After the final whistle, it wasn’t celebration that filled the Madrid dressing room—it was concern. Federico Valverde, ever the warrior in midfield, didn’t mince his words when he spoke to the club’s official channel.

“We can’t keep doing this,” Valverde said. “The first half was solid, but the way we collapsed afterwards is unacceptable. These disconnections are killing us, in La Liga and in the Champions League.”

The Uruguayan midfielder’s statement reflected the sentiment of many fans and pundits alike. It’s not the first time Real Madrid has switched off after building a lead this season, and Valverde is right to be concerned. Consistency has eluded the squad, especially in the final stages of matches.

Valverde’s frustration is understandable. With just a few games left in the season and the title race still open, Madrid can’t afford mental lapses. The next match—against arch-rivals Barcelona at Montjuïc—could be decisive. A win would put them within a point of the Catalans, reigniting hope for the La Liga crown. A loss, on the other hand, could end their title dreams.

“El Clásico is everything now,” Valverde added. “It’s our last shot at the title. We have to give everything, and we can’t afford a single mistake.”

Ancelotti now finds himself under pressure to patch up a defense that has shown worrying signs of fragility. His decision to rotate at the back may have been driven by logic, but the lack of cohesion among his substitutes was glaring.

Questions are now being asked about the mental resilience of the team. With veterans like Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić possibly playing their last La Liga campaigns, the younger generation must step up—not just with flair, but with focus.

Despite the win, fans left the stadium with a mix of relief and concern. The final stretch of the season promises high drama, but it will take more than individual brilliance to carry this Madrid side to the finish line.

Mbappé’s goal and Güler’s creativity lit up the first hour of play, but even their brilliance couldn’t mask the fragility of the defense once Asensio was taken off. It was a reminder that football is played over 90 minutes—and Real Madrid must respect that if they’re to claim silverware this season.

Even Thibaut Courtois, usually calm and composed, showed rare signs of frustration as he barked instructions at his backline during the final ten minutes. Without his interventions, the result could have been far worse.

Madrid still controls part of their destiny. But to turn this turbulent campaign into a triumphant one, they must fix their second-half lapses, especially against elite opponents like Barcelona.

Valverde’s outburst wasn’t just emotion—it was leadership. It’s now up to his teammates and coaching staff to respond.

Asensio’s exit may have triggered the chaos, but the problem runs deeper. Unless Real Madrid finds balance, structure, and full-match concentration, they risk throwing away a season that still holds promise.

The countdown to El Clásico has begun. Madrid cannot afford another collapse—not now.