Through an impressive extra-time defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk, a slightly more straight-forward dismissal of Krasnodar, and a squeeze past dangerous Belgian outfit Genk, Celta Vigo has earned a two-legged semi-final meeting with Manchester United.
The English behemoth is a clear favourite to win the Europa League, but it's not as straight-forward as that. Through Celta's single-minded planning for the tournament and the selection headaches that trouble Jose Mourinho, this double-header could be a lot closer than many fans are anticipating.
Here are three reasons why Celta can upset the odds and dump Manchester United from the final four:
Zlatanless
The returns of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, and Chris Smalling have remedied the depleted defensive numbers, but issues elsewhere prevail.
Every team in the world would miss a talisman like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and it leaves a huge attacking void to be filled by Marcus Rashford or waning Wayne Rooney.
A 2-0 victory at Burnley briefly obscured the gulf that the Swede's absence through a serious knee injury leaves, but it was evident in the two subsequent fixtures against Manchester City and Swansea City.
The derby at the Etihad Stadium saw Jose Mourinho's lot earn a commendable draw, but the worrying anonymity of Rashford in that tie - David De Gea and Claudio Bravo performed more passes, and he touched the ball only 28 times before his withdrawal just before the final whistle - wasn't a great dress rehearsal for the last-four bout with Celta.
And against Swansea, a match when he toiled to another underwhelming tally of touches (36), his desperation amid his minimal involvement was demonstrated when he hauled himself to ground under no contact to win United an undeserved penalty.
If Rashford doesn't perform or simply isn't trusted to start in spearheading United's attack, the emphasis would be passed onto an increasingly peripheral and sluggish Rooney.
Celta Vigo's fresh high press
Celta Vigo's three straight losses in La Liga mean very little. The last defeat - a 3-0 reverse at home to Athletic Bilbao - saw just three players start out of those who were involved from the opening whistle against Genk in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Eduardo Berizzo, a student of madcap coach Marcelo Bielsa, has been keeping his dynamic ranks fresh for this competition as domestic matters dwindle to an underwhelming mid-table conclusion. Celta is going all-in for the Europa League.
Involved in Celta's forward forays in that opening bout against Genk in Galicia was John Guidetti and Iago Aspas, both of whom were flops at Manchester City and Liverpool but were perhaps indoctrinated in a hate of United during their stays. Each forward scored, along with Pione Sisto, the Uganda-born Denmark international who bagged two goals over two legs against United for FC Midtjylland in last season's Europa League campaign. His versatile compatriot Daniel Wass has also been key in the continental run.
| Player | Europa League appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iago Aspas | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| John Guidetti | 11 | 4 | 2 |
| Daniel Wass | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| Pione Sisto | 11 | 2 | 0 |
There will be respect from Celta, but additionally a desperation to play out an iconic tie at the Estadio de Balaidos.
Guidetti told AS it would be a "disaster" if United, a club more accustomed to Champions League nights, failed to make the Europa League final, but added that Celta's first-ever semi-final in a continental competition against such an illustrious opponent is nothing short of historic.
"It's a party for the supporters and for all of Vigo, it must be enjoyed," he said.
Mourinho can't afford to rotate
Sergio Romero will continue duties as United's cup goalkeeper at Celta, and Fellaini is likely to play due to missing the next two matches in England through suspension. Otherwise, it should be a full-strength side sent out by Mourinho. A fit-again Paul Pogba headlines those pushing for selection.
It's difficult to see the Portuguese playing the second-string domestically, though. There are four matches left in the Premier League with just one point distancing United from the Champions League qualification places, and it could vault Manchester City by winning out. Unfortunately for Mourinho, each leg of United's semi-final with the Galicians is followed three days later by bouts in north London with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively.
The Gunners' downturn this season was highlighted by the nondescript showings from various players in Sunday's 2-0 derby loss to Tottenham, so, on paper, that is the easiest of United's upcoming English travails. But travelling to Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs is extremely daunting, and comes under 69 hours after a potentially exerting second meeting with Celta at Old Trafford.
Mourinho would prefer to rotate his lagging stars, but with so much at stake can he afford to?