Ilaix Moriba will once again face FC Barcelona. The midfielder plays on loan at RC Celta, but is owned by RB Leipzig. The match at Balaídos, if he plays, would be the fourth time he has faced the Blaugrana, looking for his first victory as a rival.
Celta, the third team to face Barça
Ilaix left FC Barcelona in August 2021 and signed for RB Leipzig for 16 million euros, with just one year left on his contract. Despite being a footballer with immense potential, the operation was seen as successful by the culé side, as he was a player who would leave for free the following summer. The Spanish-Guinean went in search of a new direction that would offer him better financial conditions, but his career has plummeted.
After half a season at Leipzig, in which he played only 190 minutes, the German team and the footballer agreed on a loan. First he went to Valencia, where he stayed for a year and a half. With the Valencian team he faced Barça twice, losing the first 1-4 and the second 1-0. In 2023, after another half of the season in ostracism, he went out on loan again, this time to Getafe, where he stayed for 6 months and was again defeated by the Catalans, 4-0 in this case.
This August, Ilaix arrived on loan to RC Celta, this time with an option to buy. He has played 434 minutes in 10 games, alternating between starting and coming onto the pitch from the bench. He has not managed to score any goals or provide any assists, but he is establishing himself as an important man for Claudio Giráldez. Thus, this Saturday, in Balaídos, the young Moriba can face Barça for the fourth time.
Marcos Alonso will also face Barça
In addition to the former Barça midfielder, there will also be another familiar face dressed in sky blue. Marcos Alonso, who wore the Barça shirt between 2022 and 2024, signed for Celta as a free agent this summer. He is a very important piece for the Vigo team, occupying the central defender position. He has played a total of 730 minutes, spread over 9 games, starting in almost all of them.