Sunday 020 La Liga: Celta vs. Vallecano, the tactical game between the European qualification battle and the final battle of relegation

At 1:00 am on May 19, the focus match of the 37th round of La Liga started at Valledos Stadium, with Celta playing against Vallecano at home. This game is not only a key battle in the European qualification competition, but also tests the two teams' ability to adapt to injury waves and tactical adjustments. The following is an in-depth analysis from the dimensions of the standings, core injuries, tactical games, historical confrontations, etc. All information is based on the official La Liga website and team announcements to ensure that it is authentic and verifiable.

1. Scoreboard situation: Celta is in the European game, and Vallecano is not willing to ask for anything

Celta is currently ranked 7th with 13 wins, 7 draws, 16 losses, 46 points, 7 points behind Real Betis, who is ranked 6th. There is still a theoretical possibility of qualifying for the European Cup next season. The team has 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses in the last 6 league games, scoring 6 goals and conceding 6 goals, and its form has rebounded, especially in the away game against Real Sociedad 1-0 on May 14, showing a certain degree of resilience. Vallecano ranked 8th with 12 wins, 12 draws and 12 losses with 48 points. He has successfully relegated ahead of schedule. He has scored 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in his last 6 league games, scored 7 goals and conceded 7 goals. His away performance is relatively stable, and his last 5 away games have been 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss.

2. Core injuries and suspension impact: Celta's defense is in a hurry, Vallecano's rotation is tight on the wing

Celta: goalkeeper is absent + right loophole

According to the official injury report of Serie A and the "Maca", Celta encountered the most severe personnel crisis of the season:

goalkeeper position hidden danger: main goalkeeper Machessin was absent for a long time due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, and substitute goalkeeper Dimitris Barcas is in doubt. His success rate in the league save this season is only 68%, ranking fifth from the bottom in La Liga.

Weak right defense: Main right-back Xavi Rodriguez was unable to play due to suspension, and substitute right-back Miguel Navarro (average 0.8 steals per game) lacked experience, resulting in 45% of the right-hand goal conceded, ranking third from the bottom in the league.

The forward line relies on single: Captain Aspas (12 goals) has returned from injury, but his efficiency has declined recently, with only 1 goal in his last 5 games and lacking a stable second-point scoring point.

Vallecano: suspension on the wing + reorganization on the midfield

Vallecano also faces a lack of people at key positions:

wing offense and defense paralysis: main winger Isi Parason (5 goals and 4 assists) has suspended the game due to cumulative yellow cards, and the right offense and defense system has collapsed directly. Substitute right back Álex Valle (average 0.9 crosses per game) lacks experience and may be targeted by Celta.

Defensive line rotation pressure: Main center back Abdul Mumin (knee injury) and Randy Entka (knee injury) are absent, and substitute central defender Ivan Baliu (21 years old) lack of league experience may become a loophole.

Recovery on the wing: Gabriel Strefezza and Lucas da Cunha returned from injury. The two contributed a total of 5 goals and 4 assists this season. The ability to break through the wing (period 1.8 successful passes per game) may become the key to breaking the situation.

3. Recent status comparison: Celta is strong at home, Vallecano's away resilience

Celta: The home game is weak under relegation pressure

Celta has a 33.3% winning rate in the last 6 league games, and its home performance is particularly outstanding. It has 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in its last 5 home games, and has averaged 1.8 goals per game, but the defensive end concedes 45% of the goals concede on the right. Navarro and Kevin Vazquez's assisted defense loopholes may be targeted by Vallecano forward Alvaro Garcia (6 goals). However, the team's score rate reached 33% when lagging behind (No. 6 in the league), showing a certain degree of resilience.

Vallecano: The midfield team's condition has recovered

Vallecano has achieved 1 win, 3 draws and 2 losses in the last 6 away games, scoring 5 goals and conceding 6 goals. The offensive end relies on Garcia's fulcrum role (performed 2.4 aerial confrontations per game) and Strefezza's speed (31km/h). The two have contributed 3 goals in their last 5 games, accounting for 60% of the team's total goals. The team adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation, with midfielder Maxence Caqueret (2.1 steals per game) and Lucas da Cunha (1.9 key passes per game) controlling the rhythm, but the success rate of high-altitude top-square-level defense line has dropped by 18%, and the cross from the wing against Celta may become a loophole.

4. Tactical style analysis: Celta survives through crosses on the flank, Vallecano defends and counterattacks to change

Celta: 4-2-3-1 formation breaks through on the flank, relying on Aspas

Girardes is expected to continue using the 4-2-3-1 formation. Winners Garland (7 assists) and Dennis Suarez (5 assists) will break through the weak links of Vallecano's right defense. The two have scored 9 goals through crosses on the flank this season, accounting for 21% of the total goals. Midfielder Fran Beltran (1.8 key passes per game) has to undertake more organizational tasks, but his interception ability with Alvarez with double midfielder combination has dropped by 15%, making it difficult to effectively cut off Vallecano's midfield transmission.

Vallecano: 5-4-1 formation shrinks the defense line, and activates Strefezza to organize

Perez may allow Gabriel Strefezza (5 goals and 4 assists) to replace Parathon as the right winger, forming a new midfield triangle with Caqueret and da Cunha. Offensively, Garcia and Embaba will continue to dominate the "one high and one fast" combination. The two scored 11 goals through counterattacks this season, accounting for 31% of the total goals.. But after Parathon is missing, the team's midfield advancement may drop, and it will depend on Strefezza's personal breakthrough to create opportunities.

5. Historical confrontation and psychological game: Celta is unbeaten at home, and Vallecano has a resilience in away games

In the last 10 confrontations, Celta has an advantage with 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses, of which the last 3 remain unbeaten at home (2 wins, 1 draw). In the first leg of the season, Vallecano narrowly defeated Celta 2-1 at home, and Garcia scored the winning goal, but Celta's counterattack efficiency (one shot is right and it scores) sounded the alarm for Vallecano's defense. However, Valleca's 1-1 draw in the away game in January 2025 was not completely at a disadvantage.

6. Official dynamics and on-site variables

Celta: European qualification battle, tactical stability becomes the key

Celta officially confirmed that it will continue the tactical framework of "crossing from the wing + infiltration from the middle". Girardes mentioned that "facing Vallecano, you need to be patient and use Garland and Suarez's wing breakthroughs to create murderous intent", and confirmed that Rodriguez, Machesin and other wounded personnel will be absent, but it is not clear whether Aspas will start. Although this conservative strategy can alleviate the defensive pressure, it may further compress the offensive space, especially when facing Vallecano's high-pressure pressing.

Vallecano: No desires and no demands, the recovery of the wing is the key

Vallecano officially emphasized that Strefezza will undertake more organizational tasks. Perez mentioned that "Strefezza's creativity and Caqueret's interception ability can make up for the vacancy in Paranormal", and confirmed that the injured such as Mumin and Entka will be absent, but it is not clear whether Garcia will start. Although this adjustment strategy can maintain midfield vitality, it may weaken the defensive hardness, especially when facing Celta's cross from the wing.

7. Summary and special tips

Although Celta has home advantage and European fighting spirit, the absent goalkeeper and the right-side defensive loopholes have made his offense weak and defensive hidden dangers frequently appear. Despite the suspension of the wing and weak away games, Vallecano has mature defensive counterattack tactics, Garcia's personal ability and Strefezza's wing breakthrough are still threatening, and the away resilience remains in historical confrontations.

Special Tips: The on-the-spot starting lineup announced 1 hour before the game may have a significant impact on the game trend. For example, whether Celta enables Aspass to enhance the penetration of the middle lane, whether Vallecano takes the risk of letting Garcia appear, etc. It is recommended to obtain the latest information through the official La Liga website or the official team channels in order to more accurately judge the game situation. Let's wait and see whether this La Liga focus game that concerns European qualifications will be Celta's score to prolong his life at home or Vallecano's escape away.