Celta Vigo 2-2 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

Final score: Celta Vigo 2-2 Real Madrid

Goals: Daniel Wass 33' (Celta Vigo), Gareth Bale 36', 38' (Real Madrid), MaxiGomez 82' (Celta Vigo)

Celta Vigo have developed a habit of playing well against the top teams. First, it was Barcelona and today, it was Real Madrid. Juan Carlos Unzue made two changes to the side from matchday 17 while Zinedine Zidane made four changes to the side that lost to Barcelona before the winter break.

Celta Vigo took the lead at the half-hour mark through Daniel Wass, but, Gareth Bale turned the game around on its head before the halftime, with 2 stunning strikes. Iago Aspas missed the opportunity to level the game from the spot but Gomez's 82nd-minute strike ensured a point for the home side.

On that note, let's take a look at the key talking points from the game:

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#5 Chances galore in the first half

The first half was full of chances for either side

Both teams produced a scintillating display of attacking football at the Estadio de Balaidos on Sunday. Real Madrid started on the front foot and created an early chance, just 3 minutes into the game. Gareth Bale was a livewire in the first half and troubled Celta Vigo with his pace and power.

After all the attacking play by Real Madrid, Celta Vigo scored against the run of play. Real were caught on the counter and Daniel Wass was in the right place at the right time to put the Celestes ahead.

Real were unfazed by the lead and hit two past Ruben Blanco in the next five minutes. Celta Vigo were caught on the counter this time around, and Toni Kroos teed up Gareth Bale to fire a great strike past Ruben Blanco.

The Welshman struck again 2 minutes later. Isco did brilliantly to pick out Gareth Bale in the penalty area, and Bale danced past Mallo to flick it beyond Blanco and into the back of the net. All in all, it was a lively first half at the Estadio de Balaidos.

#4 Real Madrid's fullbacks had a horrific night

Marcelo and Hakimi had a night to forget

It was a night to forget for the Real Madrid fullbacks. Both, Marcelo and Achraf Hakimi produced a horror display at the Estadio de Balaidos. They were constantly exposed at the back by the pace of Pione Sisto, Iago Aspas, and Daniel Wass.

Though Marcelo offered a lot going forward, he was a liability at the back. The Brazilian full-back played a part in both of Celta's goals. He could not track back for Celta Vigo's first goal and was dispossessed for their second goal. He also nearly gave away a penalty late in the game but was very fortunate not to.

Achraf Hakimi's isn't a different story. He was constantly troubled by the pace of Pione Sisto and the youngster could not handle the heat of the game. His crosses were poor, he offered nothing going forward, and lacked conviction at the back. A serious concern for Zidane to sort out in the January transfer window.

#3 Aspas produced a scintillating performance barring a penalty miss

A great show from the striker

Iago Aspas was at the forefront of most of the attacking play by the Celestes. Nacho blocked an early attempt by the striker and Aspas was at it again as he hit the woodwork in the 13th minute. His link-up play with Maxi Gomez and Daniel Wass was a delight to watch, and Real Madrid found it hard to cope with his pace.

He created another opening in the 25th minute but Daniel Wass wasted the opportunity. He then opened up Real's defence again in the 31st minute but Celta's finishing let them down. For all his hard work, Celta Vigo took the lead in the 34th minute, and Aspas was the architect of another attacking move, and this time Daniel Wass was on target to beat Keylor Navas.

He was a constant threat on the night and created another opening for Celta in the 61st minute, but, Jonny's shot fizzled over the top of the crossbar. Aspas had an opportunity to level the game after Navas brought him down in the penalty area. Aspas himself took the spot kick, but Navas made a stunning save to deny the hosts the equalizer.

Aspas' stats from the game:

Chances created - 4

Successful take-ons - 6

Assists - 1

#2 The Welshman is back to his belligerent best

Gareth Bale showed his class on the night

Real Madrid will have to think twice if they are contemplating on selling Gareth Bale. The Welsh Wizard was Real's best player on the night by some distance and produced an eye-catching performance. He was lively throughout out the game and was threatening on the counter.

He made a lot of menacing runs and was Real's best attacking avenue at the Estadio de Balaidos. Gareth Bale led almost every attacking play by Real Madrid and scored the equalizer in the 37th minute. He latched on to the ball from Toni Kroos and finished it with a beautiful strike.

It was not the end of his night. He put Real Madrid in front just two minutes later, with another well-taken goal. Celta's defence had no answer to his pace and the Welshman was simply phenomenal in the first half. His return is a massive boost for Real Madrid, but Zidane has a lot of other issues to deal with.

#1 A fair result in the end

Both teams deserved a point at the Estadio de Balaidos

Another disappointing result for the Galacticos but they don't deserve anything more than a point. They are now 16 points behind the league leaders - Barcelona, and currently sit fourth on the league table, albeit with an inconsequential game in hand.

It was a hard fought contest and both teams did not deserve to lose. They had chances to seal the game but 2-2 seemed a fair result. Real Madrid did well to score two goals in quick succession, after initially conceding the lead. On the other hand, Celta Vigo were unperturbed by Zidane's men and equalized in the 82nd minute.

Though Real Madrid had 17 shots compared to 10 from the Celestes, it was an even game in the end. Celta Vigo will be the happier of the two teams and Zidane will have to arrest Madrid's slide as soon as possible.