La Liga Gameweek 2

Valencia 0 - 0 FT Celta Vigo

Estadio de Mestalla

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
8
FT
Sat, Aug 22
Español
Valencia
0-0
Celta Vigo
⚡ Intensity 7
⚖️ Balance 6
🏆 Stakes 0
🎲 Upset 19
Mestalla stalemate entirely lacks cutting edge.

Win Probability

  • Valencia 40%
  • Draw 30%
  • Celta Vigo 30%

Futmetrix AI estimate

Gridlock at Mestalla: A Defensive Masterclass or Attacking Void?

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. A rugged tactical chess match left both sets of supporters waiting for a creative spark that never arrived.

Early Stalemate

Celta Vigo controlled possession early on (57%), but the Intensity was largely generated by midfield battles rather than goalmouth action. Estadio de Mestalla witnessed a remarkably gritty start to the afternoon, with Valencia committing numerous tactical fouls to disrupt the visitors' passing rhythm. Guido Rodríguez anchored the centre of the park brilliantly, breaking up play and ensuring the hosts remained perfectly structured in their defensive shape. Celta Vigo moved the ball with an impressive 90% accuracy, passing it from side to side, yet they entirely struggled to penetrate a resolutely deep block. The crowd grew restless as both sides prioritised safety over flair, setting the tone for a match defined by strict tactical discipline rather than creative expression.

The Midfield Quagmire

As the match wore on, the Balance of play settled heavily in the middle third, turning the contest into a genuine midfield quagmire. Neither side could muster serious attacking momentum, generating only a paltry 14 shots combined throughout the ninety minutes. Celta Vigo's frontline, featuring the seasoned Iago Aspas, found themselves constantly frustrated by an impenetrable defensive wall. A defining feature of the half was the sheer volume of fouls—16 from each team—which effectively killed any transition speed or counter-attacking threat. Valencia's total xG of 0.57 perfectly highlighted their highly conservative approach, prioritising defensive solidity above offensive risks. The lack of a true focal point meant that crosses and final balls were easily dealt with by the opposing centre-halves, rendering the attacking phases largely toothless.

Splitting the Spoils

The final whistle confirmed a goalless draw that accurately reflected the low Stakes of this early-season fixture. For the home side, César Tárrega emerged as the undeniable standout performer, organising the backline with an outstanding defensive display to easily secure the clean sheet. Celta Vigo will feel they dictated the tempo, but their minimal threat in the final third meant there was virtually zero Upset Factor on the cards. Both managers walk away with a hard-earned point, fully aware that significant offensive adjustments are urgently needed before their respective next fixtures. Defensively sound but offensively barren, this was a stark reminder of the grueling margins in Spain's top flight. It remains to be seen if either squad can locate their shooting boots as the autumn schedule intensifies.

Key Questions

Who was the standout performer?

César Tárrega delivered a defensive masterclass for Valencia, nullifying Celta Vigo's attacking attempts to confidently secure a crucial clean sheet at home.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
43%
57%
Valencia 43%
Celta Vigo 57%
Shots
7
7
Valencia 7
Celta Vigo 7
Shots on Target
1
3
Valencia 1
Celta Vigo 3
Expected Goals (xG)
0.57
0.66
Valencia 0.57
Celta Vigo 0.66
Passes
462
611
Valencia 462
Celta Vigo 611
Pass Accuracy
88%
90%
Valencia 88%
Celta Vigo 90%
Corners
1
2
Valencia 1
Celta Vigo 2
Fouls
16
16
Valencia 16
Celta Vigo 16
Yellow Cards
2
3
Valencia 2
Celta Vigo 3
Red Cards
0
0
Valencia 0
Celta Vigo 0

Match Events

38' 🟨 J. De Haas
39' 🟨 S. Dimitrievski
HT
46' 🔄 ↓ J. De Haas ↑M. Diakhaby
S. Carreira 🟨 57'
57' 🔄 ↓ R. Sato ↑U. Sadiq
↓ H. Alvarez ↑W. Swedberg 🔄 57'
↓ J. Galan ↑I. Aspas 🔄 64'
↓ J. El Abdellaoui ↑J. Rueda 🔄 64'
↓ F. Jutgla ↑P. Duran 🔄 64'
J. Rueda 🟨 67'
69' 🔄 ↓ F. Ugrinic ↑A. Dieng
69' 🔄 ↓ J. Gaya ↑P. Maffeo
↓ A. Febas ↑I. Moriba 🔄 77'
I. Radu 🟨 80'
83' 🔄 ↓ A. Danjuma ↑H. Duro
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Valencia

Goalkeepers
Stole Dimitrievski
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jesús Vázquez
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
60%
Duel Win %
César Tárrega
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
5
Tackles
70%
Duel Win %
Pepelu
MAGNET
MAGNET
83
Activity
83
Activity
80
Passes
3
Duels
Justin de Haas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
José Gayà
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Ryunosuke Sato
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Filip Ugrinic
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Guido Rodríguez
MAGNET
MAGNET
70
Activity
70
Activity
62
Passes
8
Duels
Javi Guerra
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Arnaut Danjuma
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
BENCH
Cristian Rivero
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Iker Córdoba
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Navarro
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mouctar Diakhaby
SWEEPER
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Pablo Maffeo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aliou Dieng
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
André Almeida
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Duro
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Otorbi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dani Raba
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Umar Sadiq
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Celta Vigo

Goalkeepers
Ionuț Radu
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Javi Rodríguez
MAGNET
MAGNET
86
Activity
86
Activity
83
Passes
3
Duels
Yoel Lago
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Alonso
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
86%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Sergio Carreira
MAGNET
MAGNET
67
Activity
67
Activity
60
Passes
7
Duels
Miguel Román
MAGNET
MAGNET
88
Activity
88
Activity
85
Passes
3
Duels
Aleix Febas
MAGNET
MAGNET
76
Activity
76
Activity
64
Passes
12
Duels
Javi Galán
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Forwards
Jones El Abdellaoui
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Ferran Jutglà
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Hugo Álvarez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
BENCH
Altay Bayındır
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Carl Starfelt
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abdoulaye Faye
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Álvaro Núñez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Javi Rueda
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Burcio
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ilaix Moriba
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo González
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Williot Swedberg
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Iago Aspas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pablo Durán
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Borja Iglesias
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
04/05/2026 Valencia 2 - 3 Celta Vigo La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
01/03/2026 Celta Vigo 4 - 1 Valencia La Liga Estadio Abanca Balaídos
02/02/2025 Valencia 2 - 1 Celta Vigo La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
08/23/2024 Celta Vigo 3 - 1 Valencia La Liga Estadio Abanca-Balaídos
05/26/2024 Celta Vigo 2 - 2 Valencia La Liga Abanca-Balaídos
01/17/2024 Valencia 1 - 3 Celta Vigo Copa del Rey Estadio de Mestalla
11/25/2023 Valencia 0 - 0 Celta Vigo La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
05/14/2023 Celta Vigo 1 - 2 Valencia La Liga Abanca-Balaídos
09/17/2022 Valencia 3 - 0 Celta Vigo La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
05/21/2022 Valencia 2 - 0 Celta Vigo La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
04/05/2026
La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
01/03/2026
La Liga Estadio Abanca Balaídos
02/02/2025
La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
08/23/2024
La Liga Estadio Abanca-Balaídos
05/26/2024
La Liga Abanca-Balaídos
01/17/2024
Copa del Rey Estadio de Mestalla
11/25/2023
La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
05/14/2023
La Liga Abanca-Balaídos
09/17/2022
La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
05/21/2022
La Liga Estadio de Mestalla
Valencia Win
Celta Vigo Win
Draw

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Barcelona 2 6 7 0 +7 WBarcelona 2 - 0 Athletic Club (27-08-2026)WElche 0 - 5 Barcelona (23-08-2026)
2 Real Madrid 2 6 6 2 +4 WReal Madrid 4 - 1 Real Sociedad (26-08-2026)WEspanyol 1 - 2 Real Madrid (22-08-2026)
3 Sevilla 2 6 5 2 +3 WAthletic Club 1 - 3 Sevilla (22-08-2026)WSevilla 2 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (15-08-2026)
4 Real Betis 2 6 2 0 +2 WValencia 0 - 1 Real Betis (25-08-2026)WReal Betis 1 - 0 Real Sociedad (21-08-2026)
5 Alaves 2 4 4 1 +3 DRayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Alaves (20-08-2026)WAlaves 3 - 0 Getafe (15-08-2026)
6 Atletico Madrid 2 4 4 2 +2 DAtletico Madrid 2 - 2 Villarreal (23-08-2026)WAtletico Madrid 2 - 0 Malaga (19-08-2026)
7 Osasuna 2 4 2 1 +1 WCelta Vigo 1 - 2 Osasuna (27-08-2026)DOsasuna 0 - 0 Levante (24-08-2026)
8 Espanyol 2 3 4 2 +2 LEspanyol 1 - 2 Real Madrid (22-08-2026)WEspanyol 3 - 0 Levante (16-08-2026)
9 Getafe 2 3 1 3 -2 WGetafe 1 - 0 Racing Santander (23-08-2026)LAlaves 3 - 0 Getafe (15-08-2026)
10 Villarreal 2 2 4 4 0 DAtletico Madrid 2 - 2 Villarreal (23-08-2026)DRacing Santander 2 - 2 Villarreal (16-08-2026)
11 Deportivo La Coruna 2 2 2 2 0 DMalaga 1 - 1 Deportivo La Coruna (24-08-2026)DDeportivo La Coruna 1 - 1 Elche (17-08-2026)
12 Rayo Vallecano 2 1 2 3 -1 DRayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Alaves (20-08-2026)LSevilla 2 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (15-08-2026)
13 Racing Santander 2 1 2 3 -1 LGetafe 1 - 0 Racing Santander (23-08-2026)DRacing Santander 2 - 2 Villarreal (16-08-2026)
14 Celta Vigo 2 1 1 2 -1 LCelta Vigo 1 - 2 Osasuna (27-08-2026)DValencia 0 - 0 Celta Vigo (22-08-2026)
15 Valencia 2 1 0 1 -1 LValencia 0 - 1 Real Betis (25-08-2026)DValencia 0 - 0 Celta Vigo (22-08-2026)
16 Malaga 2 1 1 3 -2 DMalaga 1 - 1 Deportivo La Coruna (24-08-2026)LAtletico Madrid 2 - 0 Malaga (19-08-2026)
17 Levante 2 1 0 3 -3 DOsasuna 0 - 0 Levante (24-08-2026)LEspanyol 3 - 0 Levante (16-08-2026)
18 Elche 2 1 1 6 -5 LElche 0 - 5 Barcelona (23-08-2026)DDeportivo La Coruna 1 - 1 Elche (17-08-2026)
19 Athletic Club 2 0 1 5 -4 LBarcelona 2 - 0 Athletic Club (27-08-2026)LAthletic Club 1 - 3 Sevilla (22-08-2026)
20 Real Sociedad 2 0 1 5 -4 LReal Madrid 4 - 1 Real Sociedad (26-08-2026)LReal Betis 1 - 0 Real Sociedad (21-08-2026)

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