Celta Vigo vs Getafe preview - Contra targets top-half finish

Posted Saturday, August 23, 2014 by PA

Getafe coach Cosmin Contra called on his side to thrill their fans and fight for a top-half finish ahead of their season-opening Primera Division trip to Celta Vigo.

Los Azulones ended last term just three points clear of the drop zone in 13th place, but Contra believes they can break out of the bottom-half cluster and aim higher in 2014-15.

Sunday's trip to Balaidos will therefore be a good yardstick after Celta finished ninth - eight points ahead of Getafe - last time round.

"What I can promise is that we will compete at the highest level and try to win every game, but more what I want is for people to enjoy watching us again," he told www.marca.com.

"As a coach I would like to finish in the top 10. The primary aim is to get 40 or 42 points to remain in this division, and thereafter we must be ambitious and not give up on anything."

Contra is excited about the impact Alvaro Vazquez, who has scored six goals in pre-season after returning from his year-long loan at Swansea, can have on their fortunes.

"The team has done a great job to make him feel comfortable and create the necessary chances," he said. "Coming from Swansea, where he was in the background, to feel valued and score goals is good for him and the team."

Meanwhile, Celta, who beat Everton in an unbeaten pre-season campaign, have been boosted by key man Manuel Agudo Nolito signing a new five-year deal in the build-up to the game.

"I'm very happy, very happy. People have treated me very well from the beginning and Celta was my first choice," Nolito, who scored 14 goals in La Liga last term, told www.celtavigo.net.

Nolito committing his future to the club will be a big plus for coach Eduardo Berizzo after the striker was linked with a host of clubs - including the Toffees, after he was instrumental in their 3-1 defeat.

Berizzo could hand a debut to Serbian midfielder Serbian Radoja, signed from Vojvodina, on Sunday in what he expects to be a stern test of his side's credentials.

"As the days get shorter, one gets anxious because you want to hasten the league's first game back," he told www.marca.com.

"It's going to be a tough match against an opponent who will pose us questions. It's always important to start on the right foot and hopefully on Sunday we can."