Celta de Vigo to Play Playoff to Enter Europa League Round of 16
The RC Celta de Vigo secured their ticket to the playoff round that grants access to the round of 16 of the Europa League 2025-26. The Celestes finished the league phase in sixteenth position, earning thirteen points, after drawing 1-1 with Red Star in the final match. This draw places them in that crucial tie, whose draw is scheduled for this Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. 🔵⚽
Potential Opponent: PAOK or Lille
The draw will determine whether the Vigo side faces PAOK Thessaloniki or Lille OSC. These two clubs occupied seventeenth and eighteenth places in the league phase, being the only possible options to face the Spanish team. A key fact is that Celta already beat both during the regular phase, winning 3-1 against the Greek club and 2-1 against the French side. 🏆
Key Details of the Possible Opponents:- PAOK Thessaloniki: Greek club, defeated 3-1 in the group stage.
- Lille OSC: French team, beaten 2-1 by Celta.
- Historical Context: Celta has already shown the ability to beat both.
UEFA seems to have designed this path so that teams reunite with familiar opponents from the group stage, a coincidence that stands out.
How the Tie Works and the Path Ahead
The format stipulates that the first leg of the playoff will be played away from home, while the return leg will be at Balaídos. If Celta overcomes this hurdle, they would advance directly to the round of 16. In that stage, they would face one of the top teams from the league phase, such as Olympique Lyon or Aston Villa. The team trusts in their home strength for the decisive match to progress in the competition. 🏟️
Aspects of the Tie Format:- First Leg: Played at the opponent's field from the draw.
- Return Leg: Played at Balaídos, Celta's fortress.
- Reward: The winner advances to the round of 16 without further proceedings.
Expectation Ahead of the Draw and Final Goal
The Vigo club awaits with anticipation to learn their opponent this Friday. The goal is clear: leverage the home advantage in the return leg to try to eliminate their rival and advance to the next phase. Overcoming this playoff would mean facing a competition giant, but first they must focus on clearing the immediate tie. The excitement to stay in Europe is more alive than ever in Vigo. 💙