Giraldez explains Javi Rodríguez's role as a substitute

R.C. Celta de Vigo

Borja Iglesias, Aleix Febas and Jones El-Abdellaoui are among the new additions to the Celta squad, who have travelled to Nicosia to take on Omonia on the first matchday of the Europa League's League Phase. The absences are Iago Aspas, who will be out for around a month, and academy player Andrés Antañón, who is injured in his right knee.

Claudio Giráldez admits that the time available to prepare for the game has been limited, although he trusts his players' response. “With tremendous enthusiasm to be back in European competition and to start this Europa League that excites us so much. That can cover all the things. Obviously, the recovery time has been short and we have had one session to prepare for the match. We are going to have the team in good condition so we can play. Our heads will give us what we might lack in our legs. It seems like a luxury to be here; two and a half years ago I had not started training in LaLiga”, he said.

Regarding the Omonia, the coach highlighted their ability to threaten both on the counterattack and through more elaborate attacks. Giráldez said they have studied numerous matches involving the Cypriot side and placed them, along with Pafos, among the country's dominant teams in recent years.

The manager was also asked about Borja Iglesias, Aleix Febas and Jones El-Abdellaoui, acknowledging that “all three are arriving just in time”. However, he did not want to reveal who will start in goal: “I have decided and I am not going to say it”.

Giráldez explains the situation of Javi Rodríguez

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One of the main topics of the press conference was Javi Rodríguez, who has gone on to make three substitute appearances in a row. Giráldez clarified that behind this decision there is no specific physical problem, but rather the need to manage the workload of the centre-back.

“He has not had a physical problem as such, but he has made an effort to be available for the opening league matches without being fully prepared. His pre-season was practically non-existent because he joined a little later and he has had back discomfort. We have pushed him too hard to play minutes and we have decided to hold him back a bit. He will soon be on the pitch with us; he is a player I have the utmost confidence in”, the coach explained.