Against Real Club Celta de Vigo, VfB returns to the Europa League. Before the home match against the Galicians, we spoke with Marcos and Lucas from the podcast Tenías Que Haber Tirado.
Rund um den Brustring: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. Could you introduce yourselves and your podcast to our readers?
Tenías Que Haber Tirado: Hello! The TQHT podcast covers the current situation of Celta, the reserve team, and the women’s team. We are the go-to media outlet for the new generation – even before radio and newspapers.
Last year, Celta de Vigo finished 7th in LaLiga and qualified for European competition for the first time in nine years. How important was that for the fans and the club?
Qualifying for Europe this year was something very special for Celta fans. In more than 100 years of club history, this has only happened for the tenth time. Supporters really value the chance to watch the team in international competitions – especially with more homegrown Vigo players in the squad than ever before.
Your first match of this Europa League season takes you to Stuttgart. The two teams already met in a preseason friendly, but there’s also an official competitive clash: in the Round of 16 of the 2000/01 season, Celta de Vigo beat VfB Stuttgart 2–1 at home after a 0–0 draw in Stuttgart. Aleksandr Mostovoi scored the winning goal from what may have been an offside position, if I recall correctly. Do you remember that last meeting with us?
We don’t, because both Marcos and Lucas were born in 1999. Back then, we were still in diapers!
The last time you played in the Europa League was 2016/17 – and you reached the semifinals. How do you remember your biggest success in Europe?
The end of that Europa League season was tragic. In the final moments of the match, Celta had the chance to knock out Manchester United at Old Trafford. The play between Guidetti and Beauvue was dramatic – but in the end, no shot on goal came from it. That’s why our name is Tenías Que Haber Tirado (“You should have shot”).
It’s been almost 25 years since our last encounter. Please tell us something interesting about Real Club Celta de Vigo that can’t be found on Wikipedia.
It’s hard to tell you something that isn’t on Wikipedia, but we’ll try: one of the most important stands at Balaídos stadium is called “Río.” The reason is that the Lagares River runs beneath the stadium and, during heavy rain in winter, it floods and covers the pitch. With the latest renovations, the goal is to prevent these floods.
What has your club done in this transfer window, and how satisfied are you with the squad?
Both expendable and important players have left Claudio Giráldez’s team (Alfon to Sevilla and Fer López to the Premier League). As a replacement for Alfon, Bryan Zaragoza came in – the star signing of this season. But no replacement was signed for Fer López, one of Vigo’s most promising youth players of the last decade.
Celta de Vigo lost their first match against Getafe and then drew 1–1 five times in a row. What happened?
Celta is struggling at the start of the season because the team lacks goals. But they regularly create chances. Out of the five draws, only two were really deserved. In the other three games, the team should have won all three points. Overall, the impressions are positive.
What are your goals for the season, and do you believe the club can achieve them?
The first goal is to avoid relegation trouble and secure our place in LaLiga. From there, the aim is to go as far as possible in the Copa del Rey and Europa League.
Your top scorer right now is Borja Iglesias, who was on loan at Leverkusen in 2024 and won the league there. He was reportedly also on VfB’s radar afterward. Tell us what we missed out on.
A striker who is very strong with his back to goal, understands the collective well, and after a difficult spell has now found his ideal place in Vigo to rediscover his best form.
Who else should we keep a close eye on?
Iago Aspas, at 38 years old, remains the footballing and spiritual leader of the team. Among the lesser-known players, Javi Rueda has had a furious start to the season, and Hugo Sotelo is currently performing at a very high level.
How satisfied are you with coach Claudio Giráldez, and what style of play does he use?
The fans are delighted with Claudio Giráldez – he is the best Celta coach of the last eight years.
I saw discussions on Twitter about Villarreal fans away at Tottenham and about Spanish fan culture in general. What can we expect on Thursday from the Celta de Vigo supporters?
Around 1,300 Celtistas will travel to Stuttgart.
Who is missing from the squad for the game?
We don’t know the squad list yet, but Marcos Alonso, Swedberg, Mihailo Ristic, and Sergio Carrera are struggling with injuries.
What’s your prediction for the starting XI and the result?
Starting XI:
Radu
Javi Rueda / Javi Rodríguez / Starfelt / Carlos Domínguez / Mingueza
Ilaix / Sotelo
Iago Aspas / Jutglá / Durán
Our prediction: 1–1 – the result Celta has recorded most often this past month.
Thank you!
Picture: © Octavio Passos/Getty Images