VfB and Celta already share some history. In summer 2000, the two clubs won their respective UEFA Intertoto Cup finals and thus qualified for the UEFA Cup. While VfB beat Auxerre 3-1 on aggregate, Celta came out on top in two legs against Zenit Saint Petersburg (4-3). Funnily enough, the Cannstatt boys and Celta met in the fourth round of that UEFA Cup campaign, with the Spanish side winning 2-1 on aggregate.
Back in the big time since 2011
As well as that success in the since abolished Intertoto Cup, Celta’s participation in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League was their greatest success on the European stage, although it came at a heavy price with relegation to the second division in the same season. Since 2011, the Sky Blues have been a permanent fixture in La Liga again. And although they’ve still never claimed a national title – all three Copa del Rey finals have ended in defeat, the last in 2001 against Real Zaragoza – Celta are now considerably more successful than their bitter Galician rivals Deportivo La Coruña, who have not been in the top flight since 2018.
Vigo known for automobile industry
That means there hasn’t been a Galician derby between Celta and Depor for seven years. However, that won’t bother fans of the Sky Blues too much as long as Real and Barcelona continue to visit the Balaídos Stadium regularly, along with PAOK, Nice, Bologna and Lille in the Europa League this season.
And at least the two French teams fit perfectly into the city’s image, since the Stellantis Vigo Plant, the city’s largest employer, is located in the immediate vicinity of Celta’s home ground. Cars from a French car brand have been built here since 1958, which is why the city on the ‘Rias Baixas’ is not only known for its beautiful bays, large harbour and small but charming old town, but also for the automotive industry originating from the neighbouring country.