Celta Triumphs Amidst Controversy as Real Faces Dismissals

Celta secured a victory marked by uncertainty surrounding Williot Swedberg, while Real Madrid dealt with red cards for Fran Garcia, Alvaro Carreras, and Endrick.

Post-Match Reactions

Xabi expressed his frustration in the aftermath: “Naturally, we’re all upset. This was not the match or outcome we were aiming for. From the outset, Militão’s injury had a significant impact on us. We needed time to regroup mentally. Although we attempted some tactical shifts, it just wasn’t the performance we desired.”

“We must quickly move on. It’s only three points lost, and there’s still a long season ahead. On Wednesday, we face Manchester City in the Champions League, and we need to bounce back from this disappointment.”

Reflections on Strategy and Challenges

“We had strategized to control the pace and apply pressure against a strong opponent post-Bilbao, but the injury threw us off course. It’s disheartening; injuries are really piling up for us. This is another critical one to add to our woes,” Xabi noted.

“The strongest response seemed to come only after we went down to ten men. The team showed grit and determination, but we understand the frustration of our fans. By Wednesday, we need to deliver a much-improved performance.”

Xabi reaffirmed the unity of the team: “We’re all in this together; we recognize that this is part of football and that we can turn things around. The season is still long, and a disappointing home game can occur. While it’s not ideal, we must keep looking forward. We must embrace self-criticism and maintain high expectations. We all feel the sting of defeats deeply.”