The Balaídos match was of high risk for Madrid and of high interest for LaLiga. If after the resounding fall against Barça the leader had given up points this day, Barça’s persecution would have gained credibility. But it was not like that, Madrid saved the trance by three great saves by Courtois plus a penalty given by González Fuertes, which as it was the third it rained on very wet, more if we remember that Celta, in addition to suffering three penalties, had a goal disallowed, via VAR. Well annulled, but difficult play, of which little is produced.
The first penalty was, without a doubt. Classic melon of a striker who commits an imprudence in his own area. The second for me too: a dry break from Rodrygo to Murillo, who puts a foot into him and he stumbles. Does Rodrygo do it for it? I thought not. The third is pure fabrication by Mendy, who cuts Kevin off and instead of following the ball sends his left foot in search of the Celtic’s leg. González Fuertes stung and as the happy protocol rules out that when there is contact the referee is not notified (I don’t know why) we are left without knowing if that penalty would have passed the examination of the review of the ‘misty room’. I suspect not.
Regarding Celta’s goal, Iago, who was offside, protected the ball so that it crossed the line and Alaba could not clear it. That is what I saw and he also saw the foggy room, which he notified González Fuertes, who annulled it. For Celta, of course, it was frustrating. He got a cross in all of them, in those that were and in those that weren’t, and that’s how he missed a game in which he played above Madrid, especially right after the break. For Madrid they are points of calm, but his game seems to be adrift since he changed his idea of waiting and counterattacking for that of pressing up. Braver and in keeping with the club’s history, but I’m afraid he lacks steam to play like that.