Claudio Giráldez has unveiled the list of 24 players selected for Sunday’s clash against Athletic Bilbao at Balaídos. The standout name on the list is Quique Ribes. The 22-year-old Valencia-born defender, who joined Vigo from Real Madrid Castilla a year ago, is making his first-ever call-up to the Celta Vigo senior squad. This opportunity arises due to the suspension of Marcos Alonso and the injury to Borja Iglesias.

The latest addition, Couhaib Driouech, is not yet listed on the match sheet but is expected to join the squad by Thursday for the trip to Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, Carles Pérez has been left out for technical reasons. From the youth academy, Andrés Antañón and Hugo Burcio remain in the squad and could feature on Monday with Celta Fortuna against Castellón if their involvement against Athletic is limited.

A show of faith in the youth academy

Giráldez was keen to highlight the strong relationship with the club’s sporting director and president. “I have a fantastic relationship with the sporting director and the president,” he stated. This trust is reflected in the gradual integration of young talents like Ribes, Burcio, and Antañón into the first-team convocations. The coach also addressed the challenges posed by the upcoming schedule. “It’s a tough schedule, but I believe we are prepared,” he added. His words underscore the club’s ambition despite the sporting challenges ahead.

A demanding schedule for Celta

The match against Athletic Bilbao kicks off a grueling run of fixtures for Celta Vigo. With European commitments and away games in La Liga, the Galician club will rely on the depth of its squad and the strength of its bench. The inclusion of young talents like Quique Ribes could prove crucial in managing rotations.