Page 44 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SEASON PREVIEW
2024-25
EPL SEASON REVIEW
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON
Celta Vigo, Bottom:
Iago Aspas has now scored over 200 goals for Celta Vigo
Girona, Top:
It will be difficult for Girona
boss Michel to emulate the achievements of 2023-24
Las Palmas, Top:
New Las Palmas coach Luis Carrion has made some intriguing summer signings
“ESPANYOL
WILL
FACEA
RELEGATION
KEY PLAYER
BATTLE
FROM
KEY PLAYER
KEY PLAYER
OFF.”
THE
CELTA VIGO
FINISH: 13th place RECORD: 10-11-17
MOST GOALS: Larsen (13)
ESPANYOL
FINISH: 4th (Segunda) RECORD: 17-8-7
MOST GOALS: Braithwaite (22)
GETAFE
FINISH: 12th place RECORD: 10-13-15
MOST GOALS: Mayoral (15)
Claudio Giraldez was rewarded with the permanent job after guiding Celta Vigo into mid-table last season after months
of struggling to win games under high- profile manager Rafael Benitez. The arrival of Unai Nunez from Athletic Bilbao is a strong signing to boost the defence and potentially stop sloppy points being given up in Galicia, with fine margins often costing the team in 2023-24. Loanees Ilaix Moriba and Borja Iglesias could also prove crucial, but even at the age of 37 club legend Iago Aspas remains the star turn and shows no sign of slowing down, having moved past the 200-goal mark for club.
Iago Aspas
Securing an immediate return to La Liga after relegation in 2023 proved tricky
for Espanyol, but they ultimately came prevailed from the not insignificant demands of the Segunda Division via
the play-off labyrinth. Espanyol will face
a relegation battle from the off, with the goals of experienced top scorer Martin Braithwaite now removed and no proven finisher signed in his place despite loan deals for Irvin Cardona and promising Tottenham striker Alejo Valiz. With what
is on paper one of the weakest squads in La Liga, there is a real danger of Espanyol suffering the same fate of Almeria and Granada last term by sliding into an irreversible position before the mid-season break.
Irvin Cardona
Jose Bordalas’ first full season back at the helm in the Spanish capital saw Getafe finish in mid-table with the minimum of fuss, as the goals of Borja Mayoral kept them comfortably away from danger
in spite of ending the campaign with a disappointing run of five straight defeats. With several other forward players moving on this summer, the onus will be on Mayoral even more as the Estadio Coliseum club look to find the attacking flair to match their grit, and avoid slipping down the table. The major signings include experienced left-back Diego Rico and Real Sociedad teammate Alex Sola, while young winger Peter Federico arrives from the Real Madrid setup.
Borja Mayoral
42 SOCCER360