Valverde strikes late as Real pip Celta to close gap on Barcelona

Federico Valverde’s heavily deflected 95th-minute drive snatched injury-hit Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday.

The Uruguayan midfielder needed a stroke of fortune at the death to pull his team to within one point of leaders Barcelona, who visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring for Los Blancos early on but Borja Iglesias soon pulled Celta level at their Balaidos stadium.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid, without injured striker Kylian Mbappe, had lost their previous two league games and are struggling to find consistent form.

Valverde’s shot, which flew into Celta’s net after bouncing off former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso, stopped his side going three consecutive La Liga matches without a win.

“There’s a long way to go in La Liga, a lot of points left to play for... at this point it’s almost like La Liga has not started yet,” Arbeloa told reporters.

“Every game you’re playing against a team that has their own objectives and each game will be a war.

“We came here with 10 players out so I think our win deserves a lot of credit.”

As well as French superstar Mbappe, the team’s top goalscorer, Arbeloa was without several other players including Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes and Eduardo Camavinga.

Despite the victory, Madrid’s form and their injury list does not inspire confidence ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16 clash against Manchester City.

Arbeloa started 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch for the first time and he offered a decent display even as his team failed to impress.

Iglesias forced Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a solid low save with a drive from the edge of the box in the opening exchanges.

Arbeloa’s side started well and Vinicius Junior struck the post before Tchouameni put them ahead in the 11th minute.

The French midfielder produced a fine finish from the edge of the box as Madrid worked a corner to him, his strike hitting the upright on its way in.

Celta were not discouraged though and some poor defending from Trent Alexander-Arnold let them back in. The England international allowed Williot Swedberg to get in behind him and then lacked the agility to block off the Swede, who cut the ball across for Iglesias to finish.

Courtois made a good save to keep Swedberg at bay before the break, as sixth-place Celta largely gave as good as they got.

Madrid appealed for a penalty when Ferran Jutgla handled the ball in the box, but a VAR review showed there was a push on a Celta defender just before and no spot kick was awarded.

Celta substitute Iago Aspas hit the post late on and it seemed like his team were destined for a point as the clock ticked down.

However in the final minute of stoppage time Valverde’s effort from the edge of the box hit Alonso and left Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu wrong-footed.

“We hardly gave up any chances, and the shot at the end was well defended, so we’re a bit annoyed (to lose),” Iglesias told Movistar.

Arbeloa said he hoped Madrid’s determination to claim the three points could be a platform to build from going forward.

“I know we can do a lot of things better, but with the personality and character we showed today, I hope that this is a turning point and from here everything goes a lot better,” added Arbeloa.

Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is confident his side will not be derailed by injuries as they prepare to visit Athletic Club on Sunday, aiming to maintain their lead over Real at the top of LaLiga.

Barca suffered injuries to defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde during their 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday, a result that was not enough to overturn a four-goal deficit from the first leg.

Midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also remain sidelined, but striker Robert Lewandowski is fit for the Athletic clash.

“These things happen. I’m not happy,” Flick told reporters on Friday. “We have to talk about what we can improve. That is always my responsibility. It’s not on the medical staff or the physios - it’s my responsibility.

Agence France-Presse