Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo was a hard-fought win, but it came with some surprising decisions from manager Carlo Ancelotti.
One notable absence from the game was Arda Guler, who many fans expected to see on the pitch.
According to reports from Defensa Central, though, Ancelotti chose not to feature the young Turkish midfielder because he believed Guler had already played too much during the recent international break.
The match itself was a demanding one for Real Madrid, as the team faced stiff competition from Celta Vigo. This victory kicks off a challenging period for the club, with a packed schedule ahead.
Despite the intense nature of the game, Ancelotti was pleased with his team’s performance. He felt they responded to the match’s demands and showed resilience by battling through to the end.
Ancelotti’s message to Guler
Instead, the Italian coach opted to bring on Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos as substitutes. The decision to choose Ceballos over Guler was particularly significant, as Ceballos is returning from injury and needs to be reintegrated into the squad.
Ancelotti’s decision to rest Guler was likely influenced by the fact that the midfielder had been heavily involved in matches for his national team during the international break.
“You’ve played a lot with your national team. Today, I preferred to put Dani (Ceballos) in,” the manager told the Turk.
The coach likely wanted to manage his player’s workload carefully, especially with such a demanding fixture list coming up.
While Guler’s absence from this match may have disappointed some fans, it’s clear that Ancelotti is focused on maintaining the balance within the squad as the season progresses.
The decision to rest Guler was likely made with a long-term view, ensuring the midfielder remains fresh for the many challenges ahead.