Real Madrid continued their superb start in the new campaign in the La Liga, defeating Celta Vigo 2-1 despite the absence of key players.

Isco missed the game as he picked up a knock on his ankle. The 24-year old was ruled out of the game, joining a host of other stars on the sidelines for Madrid. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo remain yet to return to full fitness, even as the Champions League gets set to begin.

“He’s got some discomfort in his ankle. Last week, he took a knock on his ankle and he’s still not recovered. He left the training session and he won’t be with us tomorrow,” coach Zinedine Zidane said.

There are speculations that James Rodriguez and Raphael Varane could be on their way out of Madrid, and Zidane dropped a hint when he said: “Anything can happen until the 31st. Nobody is coming in, that’s certain, but it’s possible some may leave.”

Gareth Bales was on target as he returned to goal scoring during the La Liga opener last week. Real Madrid won Real Sociedad 3-0, with Bale grabbing a brace. Celta Vigo lost their opener to entrants Leganes, so they gave Real a tough fight before succumbing to another loss at the Bernabeu.

Alvaro Morata opened scoring on the hour mark to get the first goal of the game. Fabian Orellana equalized for the visitors when he scored a spectacular one over 20 minutes to the end of time. Madrid were determined to maintain their perfect record, so they fought hard to get the winner.

Toni Kroos got it ten minutes to the final whistle. The win sent Madrid to the top of the table temporally, as Barcelona 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao restored their lead in the standings.