Granada CF vs Celta Vigo preview -Rafina knows importance

Posted Friday, January 31, 2014 by PA

Celta Vigo midfielder Rafinha believes victory in Friday's match at Granada would be a giant step for his team in their battle to defend their Primera Liga status.

The Galician outfit is hoping to avoid a repetition of last year's stressful end to the campaign.

Back then, a 1-0 win over Espanol in the final game of the season allowed Celta to escape relegation.

"Granada is one of our direct rivals in the battle to avoid the drop," Rafinha said in a press conference.

"It would be very important for us to beat them or take at least a point in Granada."

Celta go into the encounter on the back of last weekend's 4-2 triumph over Real Betis, their second win in three games.

The outcome lifted Celta to 13th place, three points clear of the drop zone.

"We are really determined to win two consecutive games," Rafinha said."This is something we have been unable to do so far this season.

"But even if we don't win, it would be important to take a point."

Celta, coached by Luis Enrique, will need to show a vast improvement at the Las Carmenes stadium as they have not won away from home since beating Sevilla 1-0 on November 2.

Four defeats on the road have followed since.

"We know it's going to be a complicated game because Granada is a strong side," Rafinha said.

"They are as in need of points just as we are.

"Granada have improved a lot since we met them earlier this season - 1-1 draw at Celta.

"I think the key to the match will be to control the tempo."

Granada are two places and two points clear of Celta.

The Andalucian side, who are unbeaten at home this year, fell 2-0 at Real Madrid last Saturday.

Despite the loss, Lucas Alcaraz's men handed a good performance at the Bernabeu stadium and expect to bounce back against Celta.

"We know what our task is this season and we want to defend our status as soon as possible," Granada defender Brayan Angulo said.

"We are on the right path."

Granada are unbeaten at home this year.Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori, who joined Granada on loan from Liverpool last week, could make his Granada debut on Friday.

Celta welcome back midfielder Augusto Fernandez, who returns from suspension.