Football Season Guide

Celta Vigo secured a return to the Europa League with their best season in the last decade in 2024/25, finishing in seventh place. Coach Claudio Giraldez excelled in his first full season in charge and his 5-2-2-1 shape has got the best out of the players available to him. Home form was particularly important to a side who have proven lethal on the counter. Celta picked up 36 points at home, the highest of any side outside the Champions League places last season. The unknown for Celta Vigo will be down to the performances of Ionat Radu in goal. Celta conceded 13 goals more than their expected goals against last season, costing them six points, and leading to Vicente Guaita's eventual departure at the end of the campaign. In attack, a number of regulars including Fer Lopez and Alfon have departed, though Borja Iglesias is linked with a return on a permanent basis. Ensuring that the team have the same firepower as last season could rely on Ferran Jutgla starting strong after returning to Spanish football, with Iago Aspas not getting any younger at 38 and being the leading recognised centre-forward.