Valencia vs Celta Vigo: La Liga Opener Hit by Injuries
Published
Valencia welcome Celta Vigo to the Estadio de Mestalla on Saturday 22 August for a La Liga Matchday 2 encounter that doubles as the season curtain-raiser for both clubs. Neither side featured in the opening round, so the 6.30pm UK kick-off in Valencia marks their first competitive action of 2026/27.
Team News and Injury Latest
Carlos Corberán’s preparations have been shaped by a crowded treatment room. José Copete is out until October, while Diego López and Sergi Canós will not play again this year after cruciate ligament ruptures. Luis Rioja, who picked up a right quadriceps injury against Stoke City in pre-season, has no fixed return date and is not expected to feature. Alberto Marí is being moved on, and both Foulquier and Rioja are absent.
To cope, Corberán is leaning towards a 5-3-2 system that was trialled at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna. Jesús Vázquez is pencilled in at right wing-back, with Dimitrievski in goal behind a back three of Tárrega, De Haas, and Pepelu. Gayà operates on the left, while Guido Rodríguez, Ugrinic and Javi Guerra supply midfield energy behind Hugo Duro and Sato.
Celta de Vigo arrive with minor doubts of their own. Javi Galán and Pablo Durán were still in partial training as of 13 August, so late fitness tests will determine their availability. Otherwise, Claudio Giráldez can choose between Ferran Jutglà—who scored the equaliser in a 1‑1 draw with Napoli—and the physical presence of Borja Iglesias, who returned from international duty in early August. Iago Aspas, entering his final active season before moving into a club role, remains the creative heartbeat.
Celta Vigo’s Pre-Season Form
Giráldez’s side finished the summer unbeaten in five friendlies, a run that included a 4‑1 dismantling of Sassuolo and a 1‑0 win over Sporting de Gijón. Draws with Braga (2‑2), Académico de Viseu (2‑2) and Napoli (1‑1) rounded out a confident pre-season. With European commitments also on Celta’s calendar, early rhythm in La Liga carries extra weight.
Key Battle: Aspas vs Valencia’s Rearguard
At 38, Iago Aspas is no longer the perpetual-motion runner of his younger years, but his ability to drop between the lines and thread passes into the box remains Celta’s most reliable attacking weapon. Valencia’s makeshift backline—likely featuring a debutant in De Haas and a right wing‑back-learning Jesús Vázquez—will have to stay compact and communicate impeccably to deny Aspas the pockets of space he craves.
Head-to-Head Context
Valencia and Celta Vigo have met 142 times in all competitions, with Los Che holding the historical advantage. However, recent meetings favour the visitors: Celta won the last clash 3‑2, and Corberán has lost two of his three personal duels against Giráldez. That recent edge will give the Galicians confidence as they step onto the Mestalla turf.
A quick turnaround lies ahead—Valencia host Real Betis just three days later, while Celta face Osasuna at home—so both managers will have one eye on squad management even as they chase a winning start.
