Celta Vigo faces a rushed preparation for their next league match after a significant delay on their return journey from Glasgow. The team finds itself in this situation following a win at Celtic Park on Thursday 22 October and with a record of three wins and one loss in their last five matches, now on a two-game winning run. A technical issue with their chartered aircraft forced the squad to return to their hotel on Friday, postponing their arrival in Vigo until the evening and cancelling the scheduled training session.
The delegation, which secured a historic 1-2 victory at Celtic Park on Thursday, was due to depart at 9 AM on Friday, October 23rd. An issue with the plane, however, forced a change of plans. The team finally left on a replacement aircraft scheduled for 20:30, arriving back in Vigo around 22:00. This led to the cancellation of a voluntary training session set for 17:00.
Limited preparation
The setback leaves Claudio Giráldez's side with very little time before Sunday's fixture. They will have just one training session at A Madroa, scheduled for Saturday the 24th at 12:30. This scenario complicates tactical planning for the visit of a Real Betis side sitting fourth in the table. Celta, for their part, arrive for this matchday in eighth place with 11 points from two wins, five draws and two losses in their opening nine games. Their recent form, with three wins in their last five matches, includes the success in Scotland and a comeback win against Alavés last week. The team has scored 10 goals and conceded 7 this season, with a +3 goal difference. In the title race, they trail leaders Barcelona by 16 points.
Squad updates
On the injury front, the team continues to be without four players with medium-term issues: Carl Starfelt, Miguel Romn, Jones El-Abdellaoui and Borja Iglesias. Burcio and Antañón are expected to be included in the squad for the match against Betis. The major positive is the full availability of Javier Rodríguez, who scored a decisive brace in the win over Celtic. The forward, who also provided an assist in the victory against Alavés, is set to be a key man for Giráldez. Rodríguez scored both goals in the 1-2 win over Celtic and also scored and assisted in the 2-1 win against Alavés on 18 October.
The last meeting between the two in March ended in a 1-1 draw at the Benito Villamarín. The sky-blue delegation will hope the travel disruptions do not take a toll in a match that could define the continuity of their positive run of form. The next fixture is at home against Real Betis on Sunday 25 October.
The report in full is at Mundo Deportivo
