Style, pedigree and main men: Celta Vigo analysis
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
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From their Marcelo Bielsa-inspired coach to their recent track record of beating Spain's stellar names, Celta Vigo will not keep a low profile for long – UEFA.com shines a light.
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Celta Vigo are the least well-known of the UEFA Europa League semi-finalists. Who are they, who is their coach, what's their style? UEFA.com asked man-in-the-know Graham Hunter to reveal all.
Celta's coach
Eduardo 'Toto' Berizzo began his playing career under Marcelo Bielsa, the man at the Athletic Club helm when the Bilbao team thrillingly eliminated United from this competition in the 2011/12 round of 16. The pair were together long before that, though: at Newell's Old Boys in Argentina in the early 1990s.
Berizzo, 47, remains a devotee of the Bielsa school of hard work, intense training and fluid, attractive, attacking football.
Celta's record
Celta's performances since their former defender Berizzo replaced Barcelona-bound Luis Enrique nearly three years ago show their threat.
Last season Celta knocked UEFA Champions League finalists Atlético Madrid out of the Copa del Rey, before losing to Sevilla in the semi-finals. Earlier in the campaign, they had beaten Barcelona 4-1 in the Liga.
This term they have continued to stick it to Spain's big hitters, again putting four past Barça in a seven-goal thriller back in October. In January they eliminated Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey, winning 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu and drawing 2-2 on home soil. Impressive stuff.
Star properties
Director of football Felipe Miñambres is the man with the plan. He consistently buys and sells intelligently, and seems to know precisely which coach will ensure consistency of style for the club.
Captain and fans' favourite Iago Aspas may not have thrived at Liverpool, but he is a dyed-in-the-wool Celta fan and his form since coming 'home' is sensational. He has scored 30 Liga goals over two seasons already to become a regular in the Spain squad.
Another shrewd recruit is John Guidetti, who has more motivation than most to reach the final, with Stockholm an obvious carrot for the Swede. If that wasn't enough, he should be fired up against United having started his career at Manchester City.