RC Celta bid farewell to the home season with a defeat against Rayo Vallecano (1-2) on a day marked by a Celtic party. After taking the lead with a goal by Marcos Alonso, the celestial team saw how Rayo came back before the break. Now, Claudio Giráldez’s team will be looking for their last chance to reach Europe in Getafe.
The afternoon began in a festive mood in the vicinity of Abanca Balaídos, where the fans turned out to celebrate the end of the season at home. The Rapants, Galician Army, Neolekas and Festicultores provided the soundtrack to a special preview that culminated with a spectacular welcome for the team amidst chants, flares and a total communion between the stands and the dressing room. That energy was transferred to the inside of the stadium, where, minutes before the starting whistle, Marcos Alonso received the award for Estrella Galicia Player of the Year, in a perfect start to the match in which Celtic and team became one.
With the crowd in the stands, Celta started with energy and soon took the lead. Oscar Mingueza surprised on the left and connected with Williot Swedberg, whose shot hit Lejeune’s arm. The referee had no hesitation and Marcos Alonso converted the penalty with a subtle Panenka-like shot (1-0). It looked like the dream start, but Rayo Vallecano reacted quickly. Isi Palazón equalized with a header taking advantage of a defensive lapses, and just before the break, Jorge De Frutos finished off another away move to make it 1-2. Two mistakes at the back punished Celta, who had started with everything in their favor.
After the changing rooms, the Celts came out determined to come back. During the first 20 minutes they cornered Rayo, generating several clear chances. Swedberg, Pablo Durán and Fer López tried without success, and Claudio Giráldez moved the bench looking for freshness. Iago Aspas, Hugo Álvarez, Alfon, Borja Iglesias and Carlos Domínguez came on, but the goal continued to resist. In the last minute, Javi Rodríguez had the chance to equalize after a rebound from Batalla, but his shot ran into the defense and ended up in the hands of the visiting goalkeeper, leaving the Celestes without a prize in their home finale.Now, everything is in the hands of the last match. On May 24 at 21:00h at the Coliseum, Celta will play against Getafe their ticket to Europe. Whatever happens, the club can only say thank you. Thank you for filling Abanca Balaídos as never before, for accompanying us on every trip, for the welcome this Sunday and for turning every home game into something special. It has been a year of union, of pride, of Afouteza and of Heart. There is a final ahead, and the team knows that it will be played with the support of a Celtic team that this season has not stopped believing, and will not stop believing. See you on Saturday, fans!
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
1- RC Celta: Guaita; Yoel Lago, Javi Rodríguez, Marcos Alonso (Carlos Domínguez, min 84); Mingueza, Beltrán Moriba, Ristic (Hugo Álvarez, min 80); Fer López (Aspas, min 69), Williot Swedberg (Alfon, min 80) and Pablo Durán (Borja Iglesias, min 84).
2 – Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Balliu, Lejeune, Pathé Ciss, Pacha (Chavarría, min 61); Andrei, Unai López, Óscar Valentín (Álvaro García, min 60), Jorge De Frutos (Trejo, min 88); Isi Palazón and Embarba (Gumbau, min 61).
Goals: 1-0, min 10: Marcos de penalti; 1-1, min 18: Isi; 1-2, min 45: De Frutos.
Referee: Pulido Santana (Canary Islands Committee). Yellow cards for Marcos Alonso and Yoel Lago for Celta, and Álvaro García, Lejeune and Pathé Ciss for Rayo Vallecano.
Incidents: Match between RC Celta and Rayo Vallecano, corresponding to Day 37 of LALIGA EA SPORTS, played at Abanca Balaídos in front of 20,482 spectators.
