May we hear 'A Rianxeira'

There is a tail wind in the Rías Baixas in Galicia. The Celts are celebrating and continuing to enjoy a team that a few seasons back embarked on its determined path to its current situation. RC Celta de Vigo began to turn things around after the relegation to the Liga Adelante. It committed to its academy players, tightened the purse strings and returned to the Liga BBVA in style. It was a huge challenge for a team and fanbase that dream of returning to the not-so-far-off glory days.

The team passed every test with flying colours last season. Luis Enrique arrived in the dugout and changed the team’s mentality. There was no danger of relegation and in the final stretch of the season the fans were able to enjoy an intense and vibrant style of football. The team ended in a fantastic ninth place and their followers were pinching themselves. The team was built to take the initiative regardless of the opposing club or the circumstances of the match.

The spine of the team is still the same. As is the 4-3-3 that the Estadio de Balaídos seems to have settled on

 Continuity

Luis Enrique is no longer there. Nor is one of the standard-bearers from last season, Rafinha Alcántara. The Galician club quickly made moves to fill the gap left by the Asturian coach. They did not have to look far though, as they turned to a fan favourite, Eduardo 'Toto' Berizzo, a passionate central defender who was part of one of the best eras in the history of Celta, where he demonstrated his top-class football in Spain and Europe's most demanding stadiums.

Berizzo was the biggest name to join the club in the summer transfer market. The continuity of the core of the team, one of the keys to Celta's promotion, was maintained for another year. The spine of the team is still the same. As is the 4-3-3 that the Estadio de Balaídos seems to have settled on. Berizzo has not made great changes, but he has made some technical tweaks aimed at strengthening the defence.

Pressure is still one of the highlights of this Celta's CV, the team will not hesitate to take the initiative in a match. The Vigo side is not short of youth and verve either, something the club gets from its youth academy, an endless source of players who have made their mark on the current squad: Sergio Álvarez and Rubén Blanco between the sticks; Jonny, David Costas and Hugo Mallo in defence; Borja Fernández, Álex López, Borja Oubiña and Levy Madinda in the centre of the pitch; Santi Mina up front. The rest is down to the sports directors, who have brought three new starters to the team this season: Serbia's surprise package Nemanja Radoja, goal-scorer Joaquín Larrivey and the reliable Carles Planas.

If one thing characterises this Celta team, who come into the Galician derby unbeaten, it is their two men on the wings: Nolito and Fabián Orellana 

Danger on the flanks

If one thing characterises this Celta team, who come into the Galician derby unbeaten, it is their two men on the wings: Nolito and Fabián Orellana. The player from Cadiz started the season as he ended the last: at full throttle. His progression is such that some are already predicting a debut for the national side. The same can be said of the electric Chilean player, who has found the net three times this season. Further up in the strikeforce, Larrivey ensures there is control and intensity when faced with pressure, while also providing goals.

So the 2014/15 Celta are brimming with confidence and on Tuesday they will attempt to dominate RC Deportivo La Coruña so that the skies of Vigo are filled with the roars of their fans and chants of 'A Rianxeira' once again.