Celta Vigo host Juventus in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday in Vigo, Spain, desperate to recover from a stuttering start to the season — but coach Claudio Giraldez faces the tie with a depleted attack after two calf injuries struck his squad ahead of the match.

Celta's Difficult Season So Far

The Galician club sit ninth in La Liga after eight matches, having collected just eight points from one win, five draws and two defeats. Their European campaign opened no better — a 1-0 defeat away to Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia in the group stage means a loss on Thursday could seriously damage their hopes of progressing. This is precisely the kind of fixture that can either arrest a slide or deepen one.

Injury Setbacks Hit Celta's Attack

Spain international striker Borja Iglesias has been ruled out after sustaining a calf injury during a training session on Tuesday. Midfielder Pablo Duran is also struggling with a calf problem, though his injury is reportedly not considered serious. Giraldez confirmed Iglesias would miss both the Juventus tie and the following weekend's domestic fixture.

'Borja had an awkward movement in his training session, and he has a problem in his calf and is undergoing tests at the moment. He is unavailable for the game and also for this weekend,' Giraldez told a news conference on Wednesday.

What Giraldez Said About Facing Juventus

Despite the adversity, the Celta head coach struck a defiant tone, acknowledging the magnitude of the occasion while insisting his squad had the tools to compete. He described Juventus as arguably the tournament favourites.

'We know it's a special day for everyone because we're playing against Juventus, who are one of the best teams in Europe and in history, and they are arguably the favourite to win the Europa League title this year,' he said.

Giraldez was equally direct about Celta's prospects: 'It's a great test for us, and we're really looking forward to the match. It's a 50-50 affair, but we have the resources to win it.' He urged his players to back themselves: 'We have to believe in our chances and in everything we do well to be able to go head-to-head with a top-class side like Juve.'

The Wider Stakes for Both Clubs

For Juventus, the match represents an opportunity to build momentum in a competition they are widely tipped to challenge for. The Italian giants have historically treated the Europa League as a secondary priority, but with domestic pressures of their own this season, a comfortable away win would be a welcome confidence boost. For Celta, this is a potential turning point — a positive result against one of European football's most storied clubs could galvanise a squad that has shown potential but struggled for consistency in 2026. Notably, home advantage at the Estadio Abanca Balaídos has historically proven a leveller against bigger sides in European competition.

What to Watch on Thursday

With Iglesias absent, all eyes will be on Celta's remaining forwards to fill the void. Giraldez will need creative solutions to unlock a Juventus backline that has conceded sparingly this season. The match kicks off on Thursday evening and is a must-follow for Europa League watchers tracking the early group-stage narrative.