News
TUE 27.05.2025
Fans in Vigo and Vallecas had a lot to celebrate on Saturday night, after RC Celta and Rayo Vallecano clinched the final two European qualification spots of the 2024/25 LALIGA EA SPORTS season. Entering Matchday 38, the top six positions were already decided but the race to finish seventh, in the final Europa League spot, and eighth, in a Conference League place, was still ongoing.
In the end, there was no change in the standings. RC Celta entered the final matchday in seventh place and held on to it thanks to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory away at Getafe CF. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano stayed in eighth place thanks to a 0-0 draw at home against RCD Mallorca and the fact that ninth-placed CA Osasuna could only manage a 1-1 draw in their own match against Deportivo Alavés.
As such, RC Celta are back in the Europa League, returning to the continent for the first time since the 2016/17 season, when they reached the semi-finals of UEFA’s second-tier club competition. As for Rayo Vallecano, they will play in the Conference League for the first time and in Europe for just the second season in club history, after participating in and reaching the quarter-finals of the 2000/01 UEFA Cup.
Claudio Giráldez leads RC Celta back to Europe in his first full season
For Claudio Giráldez and RC Celta, the 2024/25 season has been one to savour. The 37-year-old was promoted from the club’s B team to the head coaching role of the first team towards the end of last season and now, in his first full campaign in charge, he has led RC Celta to their best league finish in nine years.
By trusting youth, with 21-year-olds Hugo Sotelo, Javi Rodriguez, Hugo Álvarez and Williot Swedberg all playing significant minutes, and by getting the most out of experienced forwards Borja Iglesias and Iago Aspas, who scored 11 and 10 league goals respectively, Giráldez has unlocked a winning combination.
“We are building something solid here,” the coach said after qualification was secured. “We need to remain grounded, but I think we’re all proud of what is happening on the pitch. I’m so happy to be winning matches at my boyhood club.”
Vallecas goes wild for EuroRayo
Rayo Vallecano were the only one of the three teams fighting to qualify for Europe on Saturday to play at home. So, when the news filtered through from the Basque Country that the Deportivo Alavés vs CA Osasuna result was what Rayo Vallecano needed, there was a pitch invasion in Vallecas as the fans erupted with joy.
Los Franjirrojos have flirted with Europe a few times in the past few seasons, but always fallen away towards the end. This year, though, they remained consistent throughout, never going more than five games without a win. Coach Iñigo Pérez, the former assistant coach of Andoni Iraola, has helped develop that consistency, while always looking to evolve the team too.
“I never imagined such a success,” the 37-year-old coach admitted after qualification was secured. “I’m really proud of what we have achieved. In this league, qualifying for Europe is a difficult thing.” It certainly was a difficult mission, but both Rayo Vallecano and RC Celta have exceeded expectations and given their fanbases some trips across the continent to look forward to.
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