Celta's Garcés on PAOK tie: 'Salonica will be quite different'
Celta Vigo's football director Marco Garcés discusses the Europa League draw against PAOK, European experiences, and the January transfer window.
Celta’s football director shares thoughts on Europa League draw and praises the club’s current form despite recent setbacks.
Greek passion awaits
Celta Vigo’s football director Marco Garcés has acknowledged the unique challenge that awaits his side in Greece after the Europa League draw paired them with PAOK Thessaloniki.
“Going to play in Salonica will be quite different,” Garcés told Movistar following the draw, highlighting the notorious atmosphere of Greek football. The director expressed optimism despite the difficult away trip, noting that PAOK’s star player Konstantellias - who impressed against Celta earlier - will be unavailable for the fixture.
The Galicians have been warned about the passionate environment they’ll encounter in Greece, but Garcés maintains they’re approaching the tie with genuine enthusiasm and ambition to progress further in the competition.
European reputation growing
Garcés took a moment to reflect on Celta’s growing reputation in European competition, revealing that visitors to Vigo have been leaving with positive impressions:
- The spectacular atmosphere at Abanca Balaídos
- The club’s stirring anthem
- The renowned Galician cuisine
This feedback suggests Celta are making their mark on the European stage beyond just their performances on the pitch.
Transfer window approach
With the January window in full swing, Garcés expressed satisfaction with the current squad while remaining open to opportunities:
“We’re very happy with the squad we have, but we’re still actively looking at what opportunities the market offers,” he explained, emphasizing the club’s primary goal of maintaining the current group intact.
Current form assessment
Despite the recent defeat to Real Sociedad, which Garcés dismissed as “an accident,” he remains positive about the team’s trajectory. He pointed to their performance in Belgrade where they were just two minutes away from securing a deserved victory.
Fer López praise
Garcés reserved special praise for young talent Fer López, who has quickly become a fan favourite. The director highlighted not just López’s spectacular goal but his overall performance, noting “he did practically everything right.”
The club’s brass clearly have high hopes for the youngster as Celta continue their European adventure alongside their domestic campaign.