Key Highlights
- Celta De Vigo’s Joseph Aidoo returns to the 24-man squad for a crucial match against R.c.d. Mallorca.
- The return of Aidoo comes as Celta tries to end a four-match winless run in the domestic league while managing fatigue from an intense Europa League tie.
- Several key players are rested or used sparingly after the Europa League trip, including Matías Vecino and Fer López.
- Mallorca faces challenges away from home with only one victory in their last four matches and a leaky defense.
The Return of Aidoo
Celta De Vigo’s return to form could hinge on the inclusion of Joseph Aidoo. Coach Claudio Giráldez has named Aidoo, a crucial center-back who was sidelined for a while, in the 24-man squad for Sunday’s clash against R.c.d. Mallorca.
This move signals that Celta is aiming to balance their domestic and European campaigns.
Aidoo’s return tightens defensive options for Giráldez, who has been managing his lineup carefully after an exhausting trip to Salónica for a Europa League tie with PAOK. The Celta manager had to deal with two pivotal VAR decisions that influenced the match outcome, leaving him with tough choices for Sunday’s fixture.
Domestic Form in Flux
Celta De Vigo finds themselves under pressure from results as they go four consecutive rounds without a win, producing two draws and two defeats. This slump has coincided with an intense European calendar that has increased selection dilemmas. Several players who were rested or used sparingly against PAOK, such as Matías Vecino and Fer López, now present increased options for the starting eleven.
Giráldez has kept three central defenders largely consistent in both fixtures—Javi Rodríguez, Carl Starfelt, and Marcos Alonso—and has also seen goalkeeper Ionut Radu rotate. The challenge is to field a competitive team capable of arresting the domestic slide while safeguarding players’ fitness for the continuation of their European campaign.
Mallorca’s Struggles
R.c.d. Mallorca arrives in Vigo with mixed domestic form and faces a formidable away fixture at Balaídos. The islanders have won only one of their last four matches and are particularly vulnerable on the road, having managed just a single victory and a couple of draws on the road so far.
Their defensive record stands out, conceding 25 goals in first halves that underline a persistent early-match fragility.
The absence of key players like Yusuf Kumbulla, Kyogo Asano, and Salas further complicates their already fragile away record. Mallorca’s chances may rest on the performances of forwards like Vedat Muriqi, who has reached 16 league goals this season.
Compact Fixture Schedule
The immediate consequence of Giráldez’s squad decisions is twofold: Celta must field a competitive team capable of arresting their domestic slide and safeguard players’ fitness ahead of the continuation of their European campaign. The trade-off is visible in the recalls and rests—Aidoo’s inclusion tightens defensive options, while the omissions of Yoel Lago and Franco Cervi reflect tactical priorities and minute management.
Both teams enter a compact sequence of fixtures that will test squad depth and coaching decisions. For Celta, the outcome at Balaídos will measure whether their tactical adjustments and Aidoo’s return are sufficient to halt the winless run and preserve momentum in a season where European and domestic calendars collide.
This match promises to be a significant test for both teams as they navigate the pressures of concurrent domestic and European competitions.
Giráldez’s decisions on who gets a rest and who plays could be crucial, especially given the fatigue from the Europa League trip. The writing is on the wall: Celta must find their form fast if they are to secure a positive result at Balaídos.
