ATHLETIC 0-CELTA 2 | Celta denies Europe to Athletic

Europe remains in the trunk of oblivion, locked under seven keys in a dark room in San Mamés. Celta was in charge of ruining almost all the options of an Athletic who sees the seventh square with binoculars. His worst home game leads to depression. A day to forget, that there is nowhere to take it. He revived a team from Vigo who rode a rondo for 90 minutes. Sometimes these great matches are released, a round job from start to finish in which the orchestra sounded very in tune. Two hours of beautiful music with the ball, which make the Balaidos parish shrug its shoulders: why doesn’t the team always show this attitude? He was ten times more than Athletic in terms of tactics, technique and intensity, with three appearances he scored a goal and left Simón three inches behind because he could hardly show off. Pitada of the good ones, the first in the Marcelino era. deserved.

Chacho’s staging surprised. Towards the adventure in the rival zone, he left his defense almost in the bones, supported by the central defenders Araújo and Aidoo, since the laterals lived in someone else’s field and Beltrán sometimes appeared there but only to start the offensive game. The rest was an offensive whirlwind, many players anchored in the area in search of the goal. The Celtiña coach had complained about the drowsiness of his players in recent games, about the very boxed defense near the area, and presented a completely opposite face: his boys were enormously aggressive in the fight and very hungry to have the ball, although that position allowed to leave many spaces behind the center of the field. He accumulated a lot of people in danger zones.

Athletic had much less aggressiveness, which was strange because it was the one that was played the most, as well as continuing at the window where tickets for Europe are taken out. He barely had the ball and so when he lost it, it was difficult to press in high areas. If he ever hooked one on Dituro, he would throw Aspas and Mina long, who have a great body with defense.

The vigueses put on the work suit and dominated the first part. In the 11th minute the prize came for them. A bad clearance by Vivian in the crescent of the area was the origin of the visiting goal. Brais appeared to send a ball comfortably to the heart of the area and the undetectable Aspas, who if not the smartest in the class, won the position from Vivian and scored without Yeray covering him. No less than 14 points has the wizard of Moaña.

The empanada was not Galician this time, it was worn by a team from Bilbao: Athletic. Brais himself in minute 30 had a low shot that went close to Simón’s post after a poor clearance by Yeray. Celta grew like foam, his mastery of the game generated confidence and a very appropriate attitude.

A bad start of the game by Vencedor, very hasty for no apparent reason, gave argument to the second sky-blue goal. In minute 38, Beltrán hit a shoe from about 25 meters and the ball slipped past Simón, who could have done more. You took advantage of two clear chances very well by Coudet’s team. They handled the ball as they pleased and did not let the lions out.

That cried out for a revolution, to break with the entire established Galician order. And Marcelino tried it with three changes. He put Zarraga in midfield, Nico Williams on the wing, so he moved Berenguer to the top, and Villalibre along with the latter on top. His intensity and presence in Dituro’s domain went up a notch, but he still lacked clarity of ideas. Raul Garcia was the last bullet. He went out in search of the miracle, but the team did not give a right. Those who handled the ball looked desperate, opening their arms in general passivity. And in the face of this situation, the rivals withdrew very comfortably and masterfully structured themselves. Raúl and Villalibre were two references, but they had to be given something to chew on. If they expected the food to arrive from the outside, nothing like that, because Petxarroman and Yuri did not create any situation for damaging centers. Yes, there was a decent cross from the little Williams for Rulo in minute 89, which he finished off and finally something of Dituro was seen.

Misfortune appeared again to bait Villalibre, who relapsed once again. Galán, fantastic at La Catedral, dried Nico Williams. So Chacho had all the waterways under control. They were so comfortable that they could take advantage of the afternoon to get their nails done or get a massage. Coudet made a tactical change to end the swim. He put three inside, Beltrán, Tapia and Denis and opened the field with Nolito on the left. He amplified his virtues in the aerial game and began to fantasize how far he could have gone this year with this version of his Celta.