Europa League 2025-2026: Celta Vigo-Freiburg, the likely lineups

The kickoff whistle in Balaídos is set for 6:45 p.m. Celta Vigo will be looking for a real feat, trying to overturn the 0-3 loss they suffered in the first leg against Freiburg in the Europa League quarterfinals. For Claudio Giraldez’s men, a win with three goals to spare is needed to take the match at least to extra time, while Julian Schuster’s team aims to manage the lead to go to the semifinals. The moment of form is favorable for the Germans, fresh from their Bundesliga success against Mainz and arriving in Spain with an almost full squad, if we exclude the absences of Osterhage and Rosenfelder. Opposite mood instead for Celta, which must also forget the recent league defeat against Oviedo and has to deal with the heavy absences of injured Miguel Roman and Carl Starfelt.

To attempt the comeback, Giraldez will propose a very offensive lineup. Between the posts trust Radu, protected by a defensive trio where Marcos Alonso’s experience will be key. In the midfield, the spotlight will be on the Moriba-Sotelo pair, while the weight of the attack will be on the shoulders of Borja Iglesias, supported by the quickness of Jutglà and Swedberg.

Schuster does not want to take any risks and will deploy a more solid formation in defense. Freiburg will rely on the solidity of the central pair Ginter-Lienhart, while forward the main danger remains Vincenzo Grifo, who completes the trio with Suzuki and Beste, ready to trigger the only offensive point Matanovic.

Celta Vigo-Freiburg, likely lineups

Celta Vigo (3-4-3): Radu; Rodriguez, Aidoo, Alonso; Minguezza, Sotelo, Moriba, Carreira; Jutgla, Borja Iglesias, Swedberg. Trainer Giraldez.

Freiburg (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Treu, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Suzuki, Grifo; Matanovic. All. Schuster.