3️⃣ points as Real Madrid start with a win over Celta | OneFootball

Real Madrid kicked off their LaLiga season with a 3-1 win over Celta on the road in a game that saw Luka Modrić sent off.

We take a look at what we learned from the opening game of the league season.

Zidane gets Baled out

The Real Madrid coach spent much of the summer criticising Gareth Bale and seeking to offload him.

Injury to Eden Hazard on the eve of the campaign meant Zidane was forced to help himself to some humble pie and admit he would ‘count on’ Bale this season.

At least he was willing to put the team before his pride and it paid off as the Welshman provided the crucial assist for the opening goal.

When fit, Bale is undoubtedly a quality operator and even if Zidane would prefer others, he certainly has a role to play – as he showed at Balaidos.

Controversy reigns already

We couldn’t even make it to the hour mark in Galicia for controversy to crop up with VAR, of course, playing a part.

Luka Modrić saw red for Real in what appeared to be very harsh circumstances after crudely catching Denis Suárez’s heel as he raced beyond him.

The challenge was poorly-timed but that was about all as the Celta man was simply just too quick for the Croatian.

It deserved a booking for its rashness and for being clumsy but there was no maliciousness or ill intent with it.

Modrić should not have saw red and after VAR was consulted, it makes it all the more baffling the official saw fit to brandish the red card.

Oh no Alvaro

Opportunity knocks so little for squad players at big clubs than when you get your chance you have to take it.

We saw what happened under Santiago Solari when Sergio Reguilón was handed his at the expense of Marcelo and made the most of it.

Suspension for Dani Carvajal offered Alvaro Odriozola the opportunity to try to stake his claim à la the full-back on the opposite flank.

But he fluffed his lines with a slack and defensively disappointing display, culminating in a huge first half error.

Were it not for the offside flag saving him, the hosts would have levelled and things may have got interesting.

Carvajal can sleep easy knowing he is going straight back into the side.