Solari's claim on Madrid coaching job faces test at Celta

Soccer

By ABS-CBN Sports on Nov 09, 2018 08:02 AM

Real midfielder Gareth Bale heads the ball at the goal during their Champions League group G soccer match between Real Madrid and Viktoria Plzen at the Doosan Arena in Pilsen, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (AP Photo / Petr David Josek)

By Joseph Wilson, Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – When Real Madrid visits Celta Vigo on Sunday, Interim coach Santiago Solari may have had a last chance to convince the club that he should stay on the job.

Solari has steered Julian Lopetegui with the team in 5-1 rout by Barcelona.

By indicating Solari was taking over "provisionally", Madrid made it clear that it was still searching for a permanent replacement. Media speculation placed Antonio Conte, Roberto Martinez, Mauricio Pochettino, and even train Madrid coach Jose Mourinho on the list of high-profile candidates for the coveted job.

Next week's international break could offer a new job. Madrid will have 12 days between matches. It returns with a game at Eibar before it visits Roma in a match that will likely decide who wins their Champions League group.

If Solari gets a win at Celta, the form would be a strong case that the right move is for the club.

"The only thing I can do is focus on our next game and that's fine with me." Solari said after Wednesday's win 5-0 at Viktoria Plzen. "Soccer is all about the most important thing in your life. "

Some of Madrid's most important players have backed him.

"We are doing well with him," he said, "striker striker Karim Benzema said. "We are playing with more confidence."

Casemiro added, "If we can talk about what he is, if someone else is coming, but we are treating him with a lot of respect, like the coach of Madrid.

At a glance, it seems to have been aided by a team that has inherited only one of its previous seven matches. With the Argentina directing the team, Madrid has outscored its three opponents 11-0.

But a closer look shows that Solari may still be working to the president Florentino Perez.

A 4-0 win at third-division club Melilla is nothing to brag about considering the abyss separating the clubs in terms of talent.

The final score of a 2-0 home win over Valladolid is deceptive since Valladolid twice hit the crossbar with the score 0-0 before Madrid finally broke through with less than 10 minutes to play.

And the rout of Czech side Viktoria Plzen comes against the only team Madrid was able to beat in its final agonizing weeks under Lopetegui.

So on Sunday, Solari needs his team to avoid a repeat of his performance against Valladolid and get a convincing win against a quality opponent. If not, the progress of the team is likely to be seriously questioned and the pressure will be back on the experienced coach.

Spain to face Spain in the Spanish league standings, seven points behind leader Barcelona.

Celta has had an irregular campaign and sits in 11th place, three points behind Madrid.

However, Celta has only lost three times in 11 matches and is led by Iago Aspas. The Spain striker has scored eight goals this season, second only to Barcelona Luis Suarez with nine.

Celta also recovered striker Maxi Gomez from injury in time for a hit in a 3-3 draw with Real Betis last week.

Last year, Celta held Madrid to a 2-2 draw at Balaidos Stadium.

"It will be a tough match," Aspas said. "They have gone through several changes … but they are still alive and have the best players in the world."