Celta Vigo coach Claudio Giraldez has issued a blunt warning to Barcelona ahead of their crucial La Liga clash.
Ahead of this pulsating encounter at Balaídos, Celta’s coach did not hold back in his evaluation of Barcelona’s current state, highlighting both their strengths and glaring weaknesses.
The outspoken voice behind Celta Vigo’s recent resurgence is Claudio Giraldez, who expressed his respect for Barcelona’s attacking arsenal but also took aim at some of their vulnerabilities.
Giraldez pinpointed Lamine Yamal as a key threat, calling him “one of the best players in the world right now,” yet emphasized that Barcelona’s threat extends beyond just one individual, mentioning other attackers such as Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Fermín Lopez, and Dani Olmo who collectively form a “phenomenal” offensive unit, as reported by Diario Sport.
Despite this praise, Giraldez slammed the impact of injuries to key Barcelona figures like Pedri and Raphinha, which have disrupted their rhythm, but conceded Barcelona still “have world-class replacements” to maintain their strength.
Tactically, Giraldez outlined a clear plan to exploit Barcelona’s high defensive line by attacking with intelligent movements from midfield runners and frequent crosses, banking on the spaces left behind due to Barcelona’s aggressive press.
The Celta coach stressed the importance of balance and energy in his squad, calling for players capable of both defending earnestly and maintaining possession.
Addressing remarks from Hansi Flick about Celta possibly being in “better shape,” Giraldez stayed pragmatic, stating that Celta must be at their absolute best and benefit from a subpar Barcelona performance to claim victory.
Injuries remain a concern for Celta as well, with several key attackers sidelined, yet Giraldez remains optimistic about his team’s resilience and insists that “no difference between starters and substitutes” exists within his squad.
His closing remarks reinforced the team-first mentality fueling Celta’s impressive run, setting the stage for a highly competitive battle that promises to test both sides’ resolve.
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