Vigo’s Balaídos will frame a meeting between two sides in need of a reset on matchday seven, as Celta host newly promoted Racing Santander at 18:30. The Galicians are still looking for their first league win of the campaign, while Racing arrive from a bruising 7-2 defeat at Barcelona.
For Claudio Giráldez, the fixture carries particular weight. The Celta coach is enduring his most difficult run since taking over from Rafa Benítez in March 2024, but insists his team can turn the mood around.
Quick facts
- Match: Celta Vigo v Racing Santander, LaLiga EA Sports, matchday seven.
- Venue: Balaídos, Vigo, with an approximate reduced capacity of 23,432 during redevelopment work.
- Kick-off: 18:30.
- Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea; Carlos del Cerro Grande will operate VAR.
- Racing have yet to take an away point this season.
- Celta are seeking their first league victory of the season.
“We will come through this poor sequence stronger than ever,” Giráldez said before the match. He said his players were carrying anger and a desire to begin collecting wins, while identifying the final action in attacking moves as an area requiring improvement.
Racing coach José Alberto López has urged his side to move on quickly from their heavy Camp Nou loss. He described Celta as a high-level opponent, noting their European involvement, their clear coaching identity and the strength of their previous season.
The visitors’ task is complicated by their away record, but their starting side includes Agirrezabala in goal behind Mantilla, Pablo Ramón, Belocian and Salinas. Iván Martín, Almeida and Pablo form the midfield, with Iker Luque, Vicente and Zabiri selected in attack.
Racing’s substitutes are Laro, Aarón, Manu, Íñigo, Guliashvili, Arana, Villalibre, Maguette, Facu, Prati, Canales and Pedro.
Celta begin with Radu; Álvaro Núñez, Yoel Lago and S. Cáceres; Javi Rueda, M. Román, Moriba and Hugo A.; then H. González, Jutglà and Williot.
Giráldez can turn to Bayindir, Burcio, M. Alonso, Javi Rodríguez, Faye, P. Durán, Driouech, Carreira, Javi Galán, Borja Iglesias, Febas and Starfelt from the bench as Celta attempt to give their season its first lift in front of their home crowd.
