Celta Vigo’s upcoming match against Osasuna, featuring Romanian international Ionuț Radu, has been postponed due to poor pitch conditions at the “Estadio de Balaidos.” Originally scheduled for Sunday, August 16, at 22:30, the game has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 27, at 22:00.
The postponement was necessary due to a fungal infection affecting the pitch, which prompted La Liga to intervene. Celta Vigo requested the delay on Tuesday after realizing that the pitch could not be restored to playable conditions in time for the match.
According to Spanish publication AS, there was initial optimism that the situation was improving. However, high temperatures in recent days worsened the fungal infection, making it impossible to meet the minimum acceptable standards for play.
As a result, Ionuț Radu’s debut in the new La Liga season will have to wait. Before the rescheduled match against Osasuna, Celta Vigo will face Valencia on August 22.
Initially, Celta had the option to postpone the match due to striker Borja Iglesias reaching the World Cup final with Spain but chose not to exercise this option. Other top teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, opted to postpone their opening matches until the end of the month, given player involvement in tournaments across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In the meantime, renovations at the “Estadio de Balaidos” are underway, aimed at expanding the stadium’s capacity to between 40,000 and 44,000 seats upon completion, which will be used for matches during the 2030 World Cup.
