Sabasports Match Preview
La Liga: Celta Vigo vs Girona
Kickoff Time: 2025-09-14 20:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Last season, Celta Vigo finished seventh, earning a spot in this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage. In preparation for the upcoming European campaign, the team strengthened its attacking line during the summer transfer window by signing center forward Ferran Jutgla, who recorded 10 goals and three assists in the Belgian Pro League last season, and loaning winger Bryan Zaragoza from Bayern Munich. Currently, the first-team squad includes eight attacking players, seven of whom have already seen playing time. With La Liga maintaining the rule of five substitutions per match this season, Celta Vigo can completely refresh their attacking lineup during games, suddenly changing their offensive approach to catch opponents off guard. In the last league match, Celta Vigo’s goal came after making three substitutions in the attacking department, demonstrating the team’s ability to score with tactical adjustments later in the game.
In the 2023-24 season, Girona achieved a remarkable third-place finish in La Liga. However, instead of increasing investments, the club began selling key players, leading to a significant decline in performance. Last season, they finished 16th, just one point above the relegation zone. This season, Girona changed their transfer strategy by bringing in experienced veterans with top-five league experience, such as 36-year-old Atletico Madrid center-back Axel Witsel, 32-year-old former Real Betis defender Alex Moreno, and 29-year-old Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar. Currently, Girona’s first-team squad includes nine players aged 30 or older. However, this approach has not yielded the desired results. The team started the season with three consecutive losses, scoring only one goal while conceding 10. Defensive errors have been frequent, and the attack has shown no signs of improvement. In the last league match, for example, Girona managed 20 shots at home but failed to convert any into a goal, highlighting their poor offensive efficiency.
Celta Vigo is determined to secure their first victory of the season. During the international break, players chose to train extra to maintain competitive sharpness. In contrast, Girona’s manager, Michel Angel Sanchez, is under significant pressure, and the locker room atmosphere is growing increasingly tense, with some players beginning to lose confidence in the coaching staff. Given the disparity in determination and mentality between the two sides, Celta Vigo is expected to seize the opportunity to claim all three points in this matchup.
Celta Vigo‘s Last 5 Games: DDDLW
25-08-31 Celta Vigo 1-1 Villarreal
25-08-28 Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Betis
25-08-23 Mallorca 1-1 Celta Vigo
25-08-17 Celta Vigo 0-2 Getafe
25-08-09 Wovles 0-1 Celta Vigo
Girona‘s Last 5 Games: LLLLL
25-08-31 Girona 0-2 Sevilla
25-08-25 Villarreal 5-0 Girona
25-08-16 Girona 1-3 Rayo Vallecano
25-05-25 Girona 0-4 Atletico Madrid
25-05-19 Real Sociedad 3-2 Girona
Head-To-Head Record
25-03-01 Girona 2-2 Celta Vigo
24-09-29 Celta Vigo 1-1 Girona
24-01-28 Celta Vigo 0-1 Girona
23-10-28 Girona 1-0 Celta Vigo
23-05-24 Celta Vigo 1-1 Girona
Prediction: Celta Vigo to win