This week marks the exciting start of the group stages for the Europa League, following the dramatic opening round of the Champions League.
For football fans, it’s a chance to see teams from different countries compete, often leading to surprising matches and interesting stories.
One of these intriguing fixtures is between Germany’s VfB Stuttgart and Spain’s Celta Vigo. Both clubs will be desperate to get their European campaigns off to a winning start, setting the tone for the challenges ahead.
Ahead of this important match, the captain and iconic figure of Celta Vigo, Iago Aspas, has been sharing his thoughts.
Aspas is a true legend at his club. Now 38 years old, he has spent the majority of his long and successful career with Celta Vigo. His only significant time away was a brief and difficult spell with Liverpool, after which he happily returned home to Spain.
His loyalty and goal-scoring prowess have made him a hero to the fans, and his experience is invaluable to the team.
When asked about their upcoming opponents, VfB Stuttgart, Aspas gave a very honest and respectful assessment. He acknowledged that Stuttgart is a strong team with dangerous attacking players.
However, he also pointed out what he believes is a significant change for the German side. Aspas stated his opinion that Stuttgart’s best player from last season, Nick Woltemade, left the club to join Newcastle United during the summer transfer window.
This is a notable comment because it comes from a highly experienced and respected opponent. Aspas has played against the best defenders in the world for nearly two decades, so he knows a talented attacker when he sees one.
By identifying Woltemade as Stuttgart’s key loss, he is indirectly paying a big compliment to Newcastle’s new signing. It suggests that Woltemade’s departure has left a noticeable gap in Stuttgart’s lineup, a gap that Celta Vigo might look to exploit.
Of course, Aspas was also quick to point out that Stuttgart is not a one-man team. He made sure to mention that they still have “good attackers” and specifically highlighted their “international midfielder Angello Stiller,” suggesting that Stiller is a player with a very bright future.
This shows that Aspas and his team are not taking Stuttgart lightly and are fully aware of the threats they still possess even after selling an important player.
For Newcastle United fans, hearing such a comment from a seasoned professional like Iago Aspas must be encouraging.
It reinforces the idea that their club managed to acquire a genuinely top-quality player in Nick Woltemade. While it may be too early to see his full impact in the Premier League, the fact that a rival captain in Europe views his departure as such a major blow is a strong endorsement.
It indicates that Newcastle invested in a footballer who was truly central to his previous team’s success.
As the season progresses, the Magpies will be hoping that Woltemade can bring that same game-changing ability to St James’ Park, proving Aspas’s rating correct.
