Celta Vigo vs Al Nassr

In a thrilling kickoff to their preparations for the upcoming 2023-24 season, Celta Vigo is set to face off against Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly on Monday night.

Last season, the Sky Blues secured their spot in La Liga by finishing in the 13th position, while Al-Nassr took second place in the Saudi Pro League, narrowly missing out on the championship to Al-Ittihad.

With the new season just around the corner, Celta Vigo welcomes Rafael Benitez as their new head coach, replacing Carlos Carvalhal. Benitez, a well-known figure in Spanish football, aims to lead the Sky Blues to a better performance than their previous 13th-place finish in La Liga.

Despite finishing just three points clear of the relegation zone last season, Celta's loyal supporters eagerly anticipate a more impressive display from their team in the upcoming campaign.

Celta Vigo has wasted no time bolstering their squad, having already made two signings during the summer transfer window. Carles Perez has made a permanent move from Roma, while Manu Sanchez joins on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid.

Fans can expect further activity in the transfer market as Celta continues to build a formidable team ahead of their La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 13, which will take place at their home ground.

In addition to the friendly against Al-Nassr, Celta Vigo has scheduled matches against Benfica and Lyon during their summer preparations. The team's morale is high after defeating champions Barcelona 2-1 on the final weekend of the previous season.

On the other side of the pitch, Al-Nassr has already played two friendlies following the conclusion of their Saudi Pro League campaign. They achieved victories against Alverca and Farense after finishing as runners-up, trailing Al-Ittihad by a mere five points.

Al-Nassr boasts an impressive lineup of high-profile players, with Marcelo Brozovic joining the team this summer to accompany the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in January. The Saudi Arabian side is expected to attract significant attention in the upcoming season due to their notable signings.

Luis Castro takes charge as Al-Nassr's new manager, replacing the dismissed Rudi Garcia. The 61-year-old Castro will be entrusted with leading his team to a strong title challenge in the coming season, building on their successful end to the previous campaign.

Unfortunately, Al-Nassr will be without the services of experienced goalkeeper David Ospina, who is currently recovering from an injury. However, the presence of Ronaldo and Brozovic in the stands during their recent victory over Farense suggests the possibility of their involvement in the upcoming match.

As Celta head coach Benitez gears up for the new season, he will closely evaluate his squad during the next few weeks to determine which players will be integral to the team's success in the 2023-24 campaign.

The match against Al-Nassr will offer an opportunity for Carles Perez to showcase his skills in his second debut for the Sky Blues, having secured a permanent transfer. Additionally, Manu Sanchez is expected to make his first appearance for the club.

The starting lineup for Celta Vigo is likely to include familiar faces such as Iago Aspas, Oscar Mingueza, and Fran Beltran, who are expected to contribute significantly to the team's performance.

Both teams have been eagerly preparing for this encounter, and fans can anticipate an exhilarating match between Celta Vigo and Al-Nassr as they continue to fine-tune their strategies and showcase their talent ahead of the new season.

CELTA VIGO VS AL NASSR - NDESHJA KËTU