Juventus take their Europa League campaign to Vigo looking to build on an emphatic opening-night result, although Luciano Spalletti’s side arrive in Spain still searching for the consistency that has so far eluded them in Serie A. Celta Vigo, beaten in Cyprus in their own first European outing, have similar reasons to see the second league-phase match as a chance to reset the early shape of their season.
Juventus seek a steadier rhythm in Europe
The Bianconeri began their Europa League programme with a 5-0 home victory over NEC, but their domestic form has been more uneven. Their most recent Serie A fixture ended 1-1 away to Cagliari, extending a run that contains encouraging performances as well as a setback at Sassuolo.
- Juventus have won two of their last five matches in all competitions, against Atalanta and NEC.
- They have drawn with Milan and Cagliari.
- Their only defeat in that sequence came away to Sassuolo.
Spalletti must also manage a significant injury list for the trip to Galicia. Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Kamil Grabara, Jeremie Boga and Ekhator will all be unavailable. Daniele Rugani, Edon Zhegrova and Arkadiusz Milik are not included in Juventus’ UEFA squad.
There is European memory on both sides, even if it comes from different campaigns. Celta reached the quarter-finals of last season’s Europa League, while Juventus made the semi-finals in their previous participation in 2022-23.
Celta’s early-season struggle for goals
Claudio Giraldez is in his third and a half season in charge of Celta, but his team have made a difficult start to the new campaign. Their Europa League opener brought a 1-0 defeat at Omonia Nicosia, while league results have left them with just one win from eight matches.
- Celta’s only La Liga victory was a 5-0 success against Racing Santander.
- They have drawn five league games and lost two.
- Both domestic defeats came at home, against Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao.
- Across nine matches in all competitions, Celta have scored eight goals and conceded seven.
The figures point to a side that has generally remained competitive at the back but has struggled to turn possession and pressure into a regular flow of goals. For Juventus, that makes the contest less about the drama of their first European result and more about imposing control on an opponent who will be eager to find momentum in front of their own crowd.
Celta’s squad includes two familiar faces for Italian football followers. Goalkeeper Ionut Radu previously played for Inter and Venezia, while former Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso is now 35.
A European night with consequences for both clubs
The match is part of the second round of the Europa League league phase and will be refereed by Dutch official Sander van der Eijk. Juventus travel with the stronger opening result, but also with absences that narrow Spalletti’s options at a point when the team need continuity rather than another isolated peak.
For Celta, the occasion offers a different test of a season in which narrow margins have already become familiar. A first European point, or better, would ease the impact of the defeat in Nicosia. Juventus, meanwhile, can strengthen their position in the competition while seeking a performance capable of carrying into the next Serie A weekend.
