Álvaro Núñez Back in the Squad as Celta Prepare for PAOK Showdown
Celta Vigo name a 25-man squad for their Europa League last-16 second leg vs PAOK, with Álvaro Núñez returning from injury to earn his first call-up.
Celta Vigo are one step away from the Europa League last 16, and Claudio Giráldez has a few selection headaches to sort before Thursday’s second leg at Balaídos — but there’s also a welcome boost in the squad news.
The Big Return
The headline story is the return of Álvaro Núñez. The defender has been out since he signed for Celta roughly three and a half weeks ago, dealing with a pubic osteitis issue — the kind of injury that’s as frustrating as it sounds. He got the all-clear from the medical staff on Wednesday and has gone straight into the squad. Proper timing, that. His first call-up for the club and it comes with a European knockout tie on the line.
The Squad Situation
Giráldez named 25 players, which means he’s got to trim two before kick-off. One of those cuts is already sorted — third-choice keeper Marc Vidal drops out as expected. The other spot is his to decide.
A few other bits worth clocking:
- Aidoo gets his first European squad inclusion under Giráldez. The Ghanaian centre-back wasn’t registered for the group stage and was a technical omission for the first leg in Thessaloniki, so this is a fresh start for him in the competition.
- Hugo Sotelo and Pablo Durán are both out injured and didn’t make it in time.
- Cervi has been left out again by technical decision — becoming something of a regular occurrence at this point.
What’s at Stake
Celta head into this one in a lovely position, holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg away at PAOK in Salónica. They don’t need to go chasing the game — just manage it sensibly and they’re through to the last 16.
And the atmosphere at Balaídos should be something special. The ground is completely sold out, and if you know anything about Vigo on a European night, you’ll know the place goes absolutely mental. The fans will be doing their bit.
The Bottom Line
This is a genuinely exciting moment for Celta. They’re 90 minutes — or less, if they keep it tight — away from the knockout rounds proper. Núñez’s return gives Giráldez more options at the back, Aidoo’s inclusion adds depth, and the squad looks reasonably well set despite the injury absences.
Thursday night at Balaídos with a European place on the line and a full house roaring them on? Lovely stuff. Celta just need to keep their heads and see it out.