I owe an apology to Celta de Vigo. Prior to the start of the season, myself and several other admirers of the Spanish league tipped the Célticos to struggle this campaign. Fortune was on their side last season when game changing Aspas returned from injury and carried his team to safety from relegation. The side haven’t been as active in bolstering the squad as some fans would have hoped during the summer – with Denis Suárez being the most notable of additions. An opening defeat to Real Madrid was expected, but a game against Valencia at the weekend would provide a better platform to assess this seasons chances.

Denis Suárez picked the ball up on the left – he cuts in – the crowd goes quiet anticipating his next move. A low pass into space in front of goal sees the incoming Gabriel Fernández apply a fantastic backwards flick beyond the late dive of Cillessen in goal. Fifteen minutes in and Celta are in front against a Valencia side expected to match their achievements last season – a campaign that included a Copa del Rey final victory over Barcelona. Fernández’s goal may have been the only of the game, but it was not a matter of luck, and it was certainly not against the run of play. Celta de Vigo controlled the match with superior possession and over a hundred more passes than the opposition – they outplayed a very gifted Valencia team. Their attacks were precise and varied, while defensively, they were organised and were able to contain counters.

Iago Aspas is the embodiment of his club, but questions arose last year when Celta struggled during the forward’s injured time on the side-lines. Aspas has been incredibly successful at the place he holds close to his heart, but an over-reliance on the player causes problems during his absences. Rewarding for the home-fans would have been the player’s involvement in the goal – finding Suárez before his delicate assist. More satisfying, however, will be how Aspas seems to finally be getting the help he needs. At 32, the forward can’t carry the team forever and a reduced workload will benefit his fitness. The triumvirate of Aspas, Suárez and Fernández could just propel Celta to successes this year with their ability to find each other in the final third. Suárez had a penalty saved with Cillessen diving excellently to deny the midfielder in the dying moments of the match, but it didn’t tarnish what had been a tremendous performance. The player already looks comfortable after the opening two weeks, a distant contrast to his spell at Arsenal in the Premier League in which he made just four appearances. Suárez started his career at Celta – having grown up in nearby Salceda de Caselas –before moving to Manchester City in 2011. His arrival this season has comparability to Aspas’s return home four years ago. Galicians traditionally do well at the club, but for visitors, there is something menacing about the stormy north coast and foreign players often need time to adapt to the climate and scenery that isn’t most people’s expectations of Spain. The current squad has 12 Galicians, including Senegal-born Pape Cheikh who grew up in the area. There’s something in the air there, for most in the squad, it’s home and that’s where they are happiest. Aspas speaking to the media after extending his contract in April commented “I am at home, with my family and with my friends, for me it is very important.”

Suárez may well feel the same as Aspas, that there is indeed no place like home. One thing for certain is that a continuation of Suarez’s early performances will benefit the side enormously. The departure of Maxi Gómez to the weekend’s opposition – Valencia – caused anxiety over Celta de Vigo’s attacking options. The young Uruguayan impressed, but he failed to make the cut when Celta needed him most – during the nine games that Aspas missed through his recurring calf injuries. The arrival of Suarez brings another creative and attacking outlet regardless of squad absences, and he has already shown glimpses of his sublime talent in his first two games. The same talent illustrated during his year at Villarreal, later leading Barcelona to exercise the buy-back clause in his contract. After years of discontent, there is an air of freedom to the player’s game and a want to prove the doubters wrong.

With Celta de Vigo’s attacking strength more well-rounded, new signing Joseph Aidoo increased stability at the back. Last season’s 62 conceded goals aren’t satisfactory for a side that achieved a Europa League place two years ago. The Ghanaian centre-back had an impressive pass completion percentage during the Valencia game and was key in restricting the opposition to a single shot on target. If the player can form a working relationship with Araújo, Celta may just have a formidable defensive partnership on their hands. At home, Celta hold a good record, but it is on the road that they often struggle for points. Their poor goal difference was constructed mostly away from home, with the team often vulnerable to counter-attacks as they committed forward in order to supply Aspas. What Aidoo brings now is greater aerial dominance and solidity when his side is attacking. The greatest test for defender so far this season will be next week’s away encounter at Sevilla. At least a point will be better than the side’s 2-1 loss last season and provide a confidence boost for boss Fran Escribá.

As the players gathered in the centre of the pitch after the victory over Valencia, there was joy and a desire to maintain the bar that had been set. The win has certainly created early optimism in Galicia. There’s a freshness despite a general continuation in the starting line-up. Security at the back is an enormous boost for the team, but more significant is that both Celta and Aspas will be more prosperous with the inclusion of Suarez. Fans have every right to be optimistic and they should expect a greater variety of goals this season, along with a reduction of pressure on the shoulders of their star man. After all, there’s not many observers of LaLiga who don’t enjoy watching the little Galician magician perform his tricks. The added quality and assistance in the side will go a long way in managing the player’s effort levels and reducing his risk of injury. As illustrated by his time out last year, a Celta de Vigo team without Aspas, isn’t really a Celta side.