Valverde Saves the Day
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Hey sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional cost. Visit activate.espn.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now. Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC. Kay Murray, Alejandro Moreno and Stevie Nicol here in the studio. Lots coming up on tonight's show but we'll be kicking things off in La Liga where Real Madrid were looking to stop the rot after two back-to-back defeats in La Liga.
They came up against Celta Vigo and managed to beat them at the death. Too many struck first for Real Madrid, however Borja Iglesias would level things out before the half was through. But in the final minutes of the game, Fede Valverde had a shot that was deflected in and Real Madrid took all three points away from this clash. This is how things are looking in the table as it stands right now. Real Madrid have moved to within a point of Barcelona, however Barcelona are yet to play Athletic Club this weekend. Mario Suarez was watching this game for us. They did it, Mario. They did it at the death and got those three points. Yes, it's amazing because of the individual talent. I think this is the worst Real Madrid, I don't know, in 15, 20 years, and they are fighting for the title.
This talks about from the level of La Liga right now. It's amazing. Today, Real Madrid shots just three times on target. They scored two goals because two of the best players this season, the most regular ones, Valverde and Chameney, are scoring. Vinicius... Well, he has the first target on the first half, but we didn't see anything else from Benítez, from Brahim, Gonzalo came from the bench, they finished with three players coming from the academy, so it's a lot of noise around Real Madrid, but they won today, that's the reality, and they are still fighting for La Liga. There'll be a little less noise now after getting this win, won't there, Ale? Tiny little. Less noise as it pertains to Real Madrid and the continued pressure on this group.
I hate to tell you that I told you so, but I told you so. This is how this team was going to win this game today. It was never going to be pretty. It was never going to be dominant. It was never going to be something that you felt like, look at Real Madrid, they're back. You just said that they put things right. They put things right-ish. Right-ish. Look, had Real Madrid lost today, it would not have been a surprise. Iago Aspas is inches away from that ball bouncing off the post and in, instead it bounces off the post and out. And then Real Madrid depends on a deflection for them to win the game. But they don't care in the big picture, because you get the three points and you're still very much in the conversation with Barcelona, top of the table.
How did Real Madrid secure their win against Celta Vigo?
A Barcelona team that has their own issues and their own concerns. But if you want to look indeed at Real Madrid and the performance itself, this was no better than whatever they did against Osasuna. It was not better than whatever they did against Getafe. This was not an improvement. There are still lingering questions about this group, how they go about creating opportunities. Why do they get so disconnected in the midfield? Why can they not control the possession of the ball and the pace of the game as much as they should? Trent Alexander-Arnold, well, it's not a secret he can't defend. Breaking news, he still can't defend. And so the concerns remain for Real Madrid. Now, the thing that makes it better today is the fact that they won the game.
And that perhaps allows the team to take a breath and to enjoy the lack of noise up until they play Champions League against Manchester City. So I suppose the build-up to the game against Manchester City is going to be with a whole lot more of a positive vibe, if you will.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–3:20
2
How did Real Madrid secure their win against Celta Vigo?
3:20–7:49
3
Can Real Madrid compete for the La Liga title this season?
7:49–19:31
4
What challenges does Trent Alexander-Arnold face defensively?
19:31–44:22
5
How do Real Madrid's recent performances affect their upcoming Champions League match?
44:22–47:27
6
What are the implications of the Champions League Round of 16 ties?
47:27–59:08
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