It was already shaping up to be a fascinating centenary campaign for Celta Vigo after they recruited decorated manager Rafa Benítez in the summer to help them again push to be a top-half La Liga (LL) side. The sale of 21-year-old skilled midfielder Gabri Veiga, who directly contributed to 15 of their 43 goals last LL season, for a reported fee of close to €35m will potentially give Benítez a healthy budget in which to improve his squad.
In Veiga’s absence, Celta avenged a surprise loss at home to Osasuna by taking a point from Real Sociedad, a result that Benítez assessed as fair with the two sides controlling one half each. He described the draw as “a starting point” that he’ll be keen to build upon with the funds unlocked by Veiga’s departure. Having inherited a side that finished their 2022/23 season with a home win against champions Barcelona (2-1), you could say Benítez has the talent at his disposal to cause problems for his former employer Real Madrid.
He and Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who traded Champions League final wins at the helm of Liverpool and AC Milan in the 2000s, will clash for the first time in 13 years. Once again playing their first three LL games on the road whilst their renovated Santiago Bernabéu becomes fan-ready for September, Madrid topped the standings after two rounds with a pair of multiple-goal victories at Athletic Club (2-0) and Almería (3-1).
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of their two LL wins for Ancelotti is the lack of goals conceded, particularly after he savaged the team’s defending during overseas pre-season losses to Barcelona (3-0) and Juventus (3-1). Everything, therefore, appears to be on target for a repeat of a booming win away to Celta last season (4-1), which was one of 16 victories from their last 18 LL clashes with the Galician club.
Players to watch: Benítez appears to be tweaking his tactics to find the best role for lead forward Iago Aspas, who was their only goalscorer when these teams met last season. Madrid recruit Jude Bellingham has declared himself “ten times better than last season” and has been hailed as “fantastic” by Ancelotti following three goals across the first two LL rounds.
Hot stat: All but two of Madrid’s aforementioned last 16 wins against Celta Vigo were by a 2+ goal margin.
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