RC Celta achieved yet another comeback at Abanca Balaídos, adding their 500th home win in a match marked by tradition and the deep-rootedness of the Galician roots. Cigarrones, boteiros and folións were in charge of filling the stadium with music and colour, bringing the Entroido to millions of people. Undoubtedly, pride and identity were the perfect prelude to a match in which the Celeste managed to extend their unbeaten streak to five games and demonstrate, once again, their determination and intensity to react in the face of adversity.
The match started with an unexpected and early blow when CD Leganés took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal by Rossier. However, the sky blue team did not give up and, little by little, began to shine, especially on the left wing, where Óscar Mingueza and Alfon combined to tie the game. The Albacete player managed to get free on the flank and filter an excellent pass into the box that Mingueza adjusted to the far post, starting the local reaction.
A goal that not only brought the scores level, but also got the team back into a game in which they knocked on Leganés’ door on several occasions, until before half-time they managed to beat Dmitrovic and score the winning goal. Iago Aspas, with his own particular lesson in class, supported Borja Iglesias with his back to the ball with a spectacular back-heel. A pass with which the Galician assisted Alfon who, with a cross shot, scored the 2-1 to give the Celta the lead before going to the changing rooms.
In the second half, the Madrid side took to the field with a more attacking disposition and began to generate danger in the sky blue and white area. Claudio Giráldez’s side found it difficult to settle on the pitch and could not find a way to cut out the visitors’ play. However, once again, Alfon took advantage of any opportunity to generate attack and came close to putting the game to bed with another shot from the edge of the area, although without luck. In the final stretch, Pablo Durán, just a few minutes after entering the field of play, put the game to bed by scoring the third, which in the end did not make it onto the scoreboard due to a millimetric offside. An exercise in resistance until the final minute to close a new and very important victory that will go down in history as the 500th home win and the ninth this season in front of all the sky-blue fans.
The next Celta challenge will be against Real Valladolid on Saturday, 15 March, at 14:00h, in the José Zorrilla stadium.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
2 – RC Celta: Vicente Guaita; Jailson (Javi Rodríguez, min. 75), Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Sergio Carreira, Hugo Sotelo (Ilaix Moriba, min. 75), Damián Rodríguez (Iker Losada, min. 58), Óscar Mingueza; Iago Aspas (Fran Beltrán, min. 58), Borja Iglesias (Pablo Durán, min. 83), Alfon.
1 – CD Leganés: Dmitrovic; Rosier, Renato Tapia (Chicco, min. 90), Nastasic (Jorge Sáenz, min. 46), Sergio González (Duk, min. 83), Hernández; Cruz, Neyou, Cissé (Raba, min. 67), Óscar Rodríguez; Diego García (Miguel, min. 67).
Goals: 0-1, min. 18: Rosier. 1-1, min. 25: Óscar Mingueza. 2-1, min. 45: Alfon.
Referee: Díaz de Mera (Castilian-La Mancha Committee). Yellow cards for Celta to Damián (min. 55), Jailson (min. 69) and Óscar Mingueza (min. 92); and to Nastasic (min. 8) and Jorge Sáenz (min. 77) for Leganés.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the 27th round of Laliga EA Sports played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium in front of 17,326 spectators. A minute’s silence was observed before the match in memory of Herminio González, former Celeste player and captain.
