Real Madrid face Celta Vigo in first match following the international break

Real Madrid return from the international break where they travel to take on Celta Vigo at Balaidos in what is to be an important fixture for more reasons than one.

The first being it will be Los Blancos first match without Dani Carvajal. The Real Madrid captain and right-back suffered an ACL injury in their last match against Villarreal, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

"First of all, we're very sorry for Dani, he's a very important player," Carlo Ancelotti said. "For the enxt few months, we will lose him as a player, but not as a leader in the dressing room, because he will be here and he will work with us. We are going to take advantage of his strength and his head."

Going forward, should Real Madrid opt to not sign a replacement during the upcoming transfer window, expect Lucas Vazquez to be the starter at right-back. Another option could be to use Camavinga who has played in defense albeit on the left.

"I haven't asked the club for reinforcements because last year we handled the injuries we had well and it's going to be the same this season, Ancelotti said.

When asked about other options aside from Vazquez, Ancelotti said Eder Militao could also play there.

The other reason is this is Madrid's first match in what is going to be an important week. After they play Celta Vigo, they host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League before they host Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season. They cannot afford to drop points to Celta because if they do and then lose to Barcelona, they'll dig themselves a hole in the race for LaLiga.

For Celta Vigo, they go into the match shorthanded as they'll be without their captain Iago Aspas as well as midfielder Ilaix Moriba. Both picked up up a red card their win over Las Palmas.

Celta Vigo manager Claudio Giraldez knows the quality Madrid possess, especially up front, and knows their defense is in for a challenge.

"We don't want them to run us, not take up large spaces, it will be important that they can't pass us too much," Giraldez said. "We have to get out of their pressure and be able to dominate the game."

While they've yet to lose this season, Madrid have looked vulnerable. If Celta Vigo want to have a chance at getting any type of positive result, they will need to be clinical. Too often, Madrid have been against the ropes only for the opposition to let them off the hook with poor finishing.