Barcelona aims to strengthen their lead at the summit of the league as they prepare to face Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
The Catalan club boasts a significant nine-point advantage at the top of the standings, and any slip-up could be costly, especially with Real Madrid poised to mount a late title challenge in the closing matches of the season.
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Ahead of the match, Celta Vigo’s coach Claudio Giraldez shared his thoughts on facing Barcelona, particularly at their home ground.
Celta Vigo Coach’s Statements Before the Barcelona Match
Giraldez expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to challenge Barcelona, embracing the daunting task of trying to defeat them at Camp Nou.
“We’re heading to the league leaders’ home ground, where they’ve been unbeatable, and we aim to be the first team to defeat them there,” he commented.
This is no small feat. Barcelona’s home record in La Liga this season stands impressive: 16 matches played, 51 goals scored, and only 9 conceded at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc, the Johan Cruyff Arena, and the newly reopened Camp Nou.
Giraldez feels prepared for the challenge presented by Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
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Celta Vigo, however, should not be underestimated on the road. With an away record that includes seven wins and six draws in 15 matches, they hold the third-best performance in La Liga, trailing only Barcelona and Real Madrid, and have suffered just two defeats.
Giraldez emphasized the need for his team to be at their best defensively while exploiting their chances on the attack. “We need to be flawless in defense and capitalize on our opportunities, as Barcelona possesses every offensive weapon a team can have,” he stated.
He also reflected on their recent encounters, reminding that Celta can be formidable against the Blaugrana.
“Last year, we got close to winning there. After falling behind 1-3, we couldn’t push forward or defend well enough, which ultimately led to our failure,” he added.
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The Celta Vigo coach also provided an update on the fitness of Carl Starfelt, stating that he is not yet at full fitness.
“Carl is particularly concerned as he hasn’t been recovering well from his injury. Currently, he’s not practicing with the team, and we are handling his situation on a daily basis,” he explained.
Regarding striker Borja Iglesias, the coach expressed his confidence in the player’s contributions moving forward.
“I believe he will be a significant asset for us from now until the end of the season. Borja has had less rest due to his time with the national team, so we will need to manage his playing time carefully,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo