Celta Vigo coach sets lofty objective ahead of Barcelona clash – ‘Be the first to defeat them at Camp Nou’ | OneFootball

Barcelona are looking to consolidate their position at the top of the league table as they take on Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The Catalans have a healthy nine-point lead at the top of the table, and the team can’t afford any mishap, knowing Real Madrid will be desperate to stage a late title push during the final few matches of the season.

Speaking ahead of the game, Celta Vigo coach Claudio Giraldez talked about facing Barcelona, especially at Camp Nou.

What Celta Vigo coach said ahead of Barcelona clash

Giraldez was particularly upbeat about the prospect of facing Barcelona, as he openly embraced the challenge of beating the Catalans at Camp Nou.

“We’re going to the league leaders’ ground, where they’ve won everything, to try and be the first to defeat them at Camp Nou,” he said.

It is no small ambition, though. Barcelona’s home record in La Liga this season reads 16 matches played, 51 goals scored, and just 9 conceded across all games at the Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic, the Johan Cruyff Arena and more recently the reopened Camp Nou.

Giraldez is ready for the Barcelona challenge. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Celta, though, are no slouch away from home. Their away record of seven wins and six draws from 15 matches on the road is the third best in La Liga, behind only Barcelona and Real Madrid, with just two defeats.

Giraldez was clear about what his side must do to cause an upset. “We have to be perfect defensively and hurt them in attack, because Barcelona has every offensive resource a football team could possibly have,” he said.

He also drew on recent history to illustrate that Celta are no pushovers against the Blaugrana.

“Last year, we came close to winning there. After going down 1-3, we weren’t able to push forward with full force or defend properly. We fell a bit short, and that’s the gist of it,” he added.

The Celta Vigo went on to talk about the fitness of Carl Starfelt, confirming that he is not fully fit just yet.

“Carl is the most worried because he’s not recovering well from the injury. Right now, he’s not training with the group at all. We’re taking it day by day,” he said.

On striker Borja Iglesias, the coach talked about what the striker can offer to the table.

“I’m convinced he’s going to contribute a lot between now and the end of the season. Borja has had much less rest because he’s been with the national team. We’ll have to manage his playing time,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo