Team Focus: Berizzo Overseeing Bright Start to Life at Celta Vigo
The 'Zlatanesque' back-heeled volley scored by Celta Vigo's Pablo Hernández in his side's 2-2 La Liga draw at Atlético Madrid on Saturday was perhaps the most unexpected moment of improvisation the Spanish season has seen so far. It was, however, also in keeping with what has been a positive and attractive start to Celta's campaign under new coach Eduardo Berizzo.
Berizzo was a popular appointment, having been a commanding centre-half at Balaidos between 2025 and 2025. More recently he has been in charge of Argentine club Estudiantes and Chilean outfit O'Higgins, after a three year spell as assistant to his former club coach Marcelo Bielsa with the Chile national team.
The new man has not changed too much, sticking to the technical but aggressive approach favoured by Luis Enrique last season. New players including his former O'Higgins charge Hernández, ex-Rayo centre-forward Joaquín Larrivey and former Barca B left-back Carles Planas have meanwhile been swiftly integrated into the side.
That plan is working well so far. Celta remain unbeaten so far, having won 1 and drawn 3 of their first four games – and they could easily have eight points had they not thrown away a 2-0 lead at home to Real Sociedad. They have done this playing some really nice stuff – as shown by their short passes per game tally so far of 410 [fourth most in La Liga], 55.6% ball possession [fifth of La Liga teams] and 79.8% pass success [fifth as well].
Although Berizzo does not seem quite as tactically idealistic as Bielsa, El Loco’s influence is definitely there. Celta have been playing a high-energy pressing game – shown by their 22.8 tackles per game [third in La Liga] and 16.5 fouls [fifth]. They also look to get the ball forward quickly – with an average of 76 long balls per game so far – the third highest total in the division, and 15% of all their passes played.
Hernández and goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez took many of the plaudits after Saturday's game at the Calderon, but the draw was earned through a real team performance. Atlético had 18 shots to Celta's 4, but the game was more evenly contested than that suggests. Celta actually edged possession over the 90 minutes [51% to 49%] in what was an intelligent away performance, with the team looking to hold possession for long periods rather than give it away and invite more pressure on their defence.
With his team 2-1 down at half-time Berizzo made an attacking change in sending on forward Nolito for midfielder Álex López. After his team quickly equalised – through Nolito's penalty – he removed attacker Hernández and sent on centre-back Sergi Gómez to help deal with Atlético's power in the air at
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