Celta Vigo vs Espanyol preview - Resino confident of great escape

Abel Resino has admitted that the final day of the Primera Division season will be stressful for him and his Celta Vigo side as they seek to avoid relegation, but is positive about their chances of doing so.

Celta, who occupy the final relegation spot, need to win at home to Espanyol and hope that their bitter rivals, fellow Galicians Deportivo La Coruna, fail to beat Real Sociedad.

He told a press conference: "I've always been positive. I said that I would been happy to get to the final day of the season in this position and that's where we are. We have to pay tribute to our supporters, who have invested so much emotion in us.

"The players are in good shape, and if we are capable of controlling our nerves, we will produce a good performance. We know that it'll be a very long match and we will have to be prepared mentally for it. We know it won't be easy."

Celta's 17-year-old goalkeeper Ruben Blanco was set to start in goal against Espanyol, making first start for the first team, but the recovery of Sergio Alvarez means he may be left on the bench.

Blanco made his debut in the 2-0 win at Real Valladolid last weekend, coming on to replace the injured Javi Varas, who has not recovered in time.

The coach did not reveal who would start in goal, but was certain the youngster would not be overawed by the occasion if he is given the nod.

"Ruben has a good chance of playing. He's very relaxed, and that makes him stand out. He has a surprising ability to control his emotions. I hope he can play as well as he did in Valladolid," he said.

Espanyol, by contrast, do not have the same pressure riding on the game as their opponents, as they have avoided the drop and cannot qualify for Europe, but coach Javier Aguirre stressed the importance of competing during the 90 minutes.

"We have to go out and give our all, be concentrated and play with intensity because if we don't, we'll suffer. We'll play badly if we do not treat it as an important game. They will be going for the three points from the word go and we have to stand up and be counted, it won't be the typical end of season match," he said.