Celta Vigo enter the 2025/2026 season in a completely different position from their traditional image as a relegation-threatened team.
The team is no longer content with merely reacting to events; it strives to impose its own rhythm, even against higher-quality opponents.
The continuation of the project under Claudio Giráldez has provided the team with mental and tactical stability, as reflected in clear roles, improved decision-making, and a notable improvement in how they manage match moments, especially off the ball.
This tactical analysis explains why Celta cannot be viewed solely in terms of results, but rather as a team of ideas in 2025/2026.
Celta Vigo In Build-Up & Progression
Celta Vigo typically starts with a 5-3-2 formation, but when in possession, it clearly shifts to a 3-2-5.
The back three spread out horizontally, while the wingers push high to cover the entire width of the pitch, and one of the midfielders drops back to form a two-man midfield in front of the defence.
Celta Vigo dont build play solely for possession, but also to draw the opposition out.
The team deliberately slows down in the defensive third to draw the opposition into the press, then exploits the spaces behind the first line.
Here, Celta Vigo dont begin their build-up play from the traditional 5-3-2 formation, but rather reshape themselves closer to a 3-4-3.
The full-backs push forward to occupy the full width of the pitch, pinning the opposing full-backs back, while the two forwards move centrally to create numerical superiority in the half-spaces.
This shift aims not only to advance the ball but also to reshape the opposing defence horizontally and force them into delayed decisions.
