Celta Vigo vs Valladolid preview - Valladolid know importance of win

Posted Sunday, April 27, 2014 by PA

The importance of Real Valladolid's Primera Division clash with Celta Vigo on Monday night has not been lost on either coach Juan Ignacio Martinez or defender Marc Valiente.

Martinez's side can move out of the relegation zone with victory at Balaidos as the season moves towards its final stages.

Celta sit 13th in the table and are all but safe while for Valladolid Monday's game could prove crucial if they are to extend their stay in the top flight beyond two seasons.

Martinez acknowledged his side face a stern test but is aiming to make the journey in search of all three points.

"It will be a difficult game but we have to go and win," he said.

"A victory would have great importance both for the points and from the point of view that we would gain momentum before the intense final run-in."

Valiente has formed the main part of a Valladolid defence that has tightened up in recent weeks, keeping clean sheets in their last three fixtures.

"We have improved the team in that respect," said the former Barcelona youngster.

"That is fundamental to achieve the goal of survival. We know that a victory in Vigo would be a giant step towards our aspirations."

Celta may currently have four other sides between themselves and visitors Valladolid but, after a 17th-placed finish last year, defender Hugo Mallo is keen to keep focused until all hints of being dragged into the fight for survival are extinguished.

"People already think we are all done," he said.

"But make no mistake because until it is mathematically guaranteed we can't relax. We know that the target is in our own hands but we cannot relax.

"Valladolid need to win but we will try to do our job because the sooner we fix our own situation, the better.

"It would be very nice to celebrate survival with our fans because they deserve it after the hard year we had last season."