RC Celta lost 3-1 against Espanyol in their visit to the RCD Stadium. Although a penalty goal by Iago Aspas in the final stretch gave hope to the Celta team, Manolo González’s team was more effective and convincing in the penalty area.
Espanyol started the match with great intensity, imposing their rhythm and coming dangerously close to the vicinity of Vicente Guaita. This pressure was rewarded just before halftime, when Cardona started in a spectacular play on the counter after a set piece in favor of Celta. The Perico drove with speed from his own half, taking advantage of an unsettled defense, to score an unstoppable goal minutes before the exit to the locker room.
In the second half, the home side maintained their positive momentum and soon extended their lead. A corner kick that ended with a shot by Leandro Cabrera, after a rebound inside the area, made the score 2-0. Despite the blow, Celta continued to generate chances that, although not too clear, troubled the defense of the Perico team.
This effort by Giráldez’s team was rewarded in the 83rd minute, when Iago Aspas made no mistake from the penalty spot. A penalty on Óscar Mingueza, which the sky-blue captain ended up converting, helped to close the gap and give a glimmer of hope during the final stretch of the match. However, the Celeste momentum was short-lived, as only four minutes later, Cheddira took advantage of the weaknesses of the Galician defense to seal the match.
Now, Claudio Giráldez’s team is focused on the Copa del Rey, where they will face Salamanca CF UDS next Tuesday at 21:00h. Meanwhile, in the league competition, they will return to action on Friday at the same time against RCD Mallorca at Abanca Balaídos.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
3- RCD Espanyol: Joan García, Brian Oliván, Leandro Cabrera, Kumbulla, Omar El Hilali, Justin Smith, Alex Král, Pol Lozano, Jofre Carreras, Javi Puado, Irvin Cardona.
1- RC Celta: Vicente Guaita, Hugo Álvarez, Marcos Alonso, Carl Starfelt, Javi Rodríguez, Óscar Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba, Damián, Jonathan Bamba, Douvikas, Iago Aspas.
Goals: 1-0 (39’) Cardona; 2-0 (53’) Cabrera; 2-1 (83’) Iago Aspas; 3-1 (87’) Cheddira.
Referee: Sánchez Martínez (Murcia committee). Yellow cards for home team Kumbulla (’55) and Joan García (’86); and for visitors Marcos Alonso (’35) and Hugo Álvarez (’45).
Incidents: Match corresponding to the 15th round of LALIGA EA SPORTS played at the RCD Stadium.
