Celta and Athletic Clash in Tense La Liga Match After Controversial Cup Exits

VIGO, Spain — RC Celta and Athletic Club faced off in a high-stakes La Liga match Sunday, with both teams still reeling from controversial exits in the Copa del Rey. The game, held at Celta’s Balaídos stadium, saw significant lineup changes as both managers sought to shake up their squads.

Celta’s coach, Claudio Giráldez, rested key players including Starfelt, Moriba, Mingueza, and Hugo Álvarez, opting instead to field young talent Yoel Lago alongside Javi Rodríguez and Carlos Domínguez. Athletic’s Ernesto Valverde, meanwhile, deployed Berenguer as a central striker in place of the absent Oihan Sancet, with the Williams brothers and Unai Gómez providing support.

The match carried added weight for both teams. Celta’s fans were still incensed over a refereeing scandal in their Copa del Rey exit, which many called one of the most blatant injustices in recent memory. Athletic, on the other hand, entered the game winless in 2025, having drawn against Logroñés and suffered defeats to Barcelona and Osasuna.

Despite the absence of key players like Celta’s Iago Aspas and Athletic’s Sancet, the match remained a highly anticipated clash between two historic rivals. Celta’s strong home record—only losing to Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid this season—added to the pressure on Valverde, who has not won at Balaídos in his last six visits, both with Athletic and Barcelona.

The game also highlighted the contrasting forms of the two teams. Athletic ended 2024 on a 14-match unbeaten streak but has struggled to regain momentum this year. Celta, meanwhile, has shown resilience at home, making Balaídos a fortress despite their Copa del Rey disappointment.

As the teams took the field, the atmosphere was electric, with both sets of fans creating a vibrant backdrop for what promised to be a fiercely contested match. The result would not only impact their league standings but also serve as a measure of how well each team has moved on from their recent setbacks.