Oliveira dos Cen Anos rang out for the first time in European competition on a night to remember. In the second match of the UEFA Europa League group stage, the sky-blues staged their first comeback of the season to secure a deserved victory over PAOK Thessaloniki at Abanca Balaídos, which was once again decked out for a European fixture.
Claudio Giráldez’s side started strongly, but after half an hour of play, it was the Greek side that struck first after Giakoumakis took advantage of a mistake in the Celta defence to make it 0–1. It was an unexpected goal, but Celta did not lose faith and continued to press until justice was done on the stroke of half-time. Iago Aspas, the chosen one, scored Celta’s first goal at home in European competition to level the score and ignite a crowd that was completely behind the team.
In the second half, the sky-blues stormed onto the pitch like a whirlwind and, leaving hardly any space, continued to dominate the opposition’s half. The chances kept coming, while PAOK couldn’t find a way to stop their attacks. After several warnings, Borja Iglesias, with his sixth consecutive goal, finished off a great team move to put Celta ahead. Shortly afterwards, Williot Swedberg did his bit after a perfect counter-attack which, after being validated by VAR, sealed the match.
A comeback and victory to cap off a night in which emotions were once again running high. Together, we enjoyed watching Celta play in European competitions at home once again. It was a magical night that has strengthened the team, which now awaits its next opponent, Atlético de Madrid, who will visit Abanca Balaídos in just three days, on Sunday at 9 p.m.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Celta: Radu, Manu Fernández, Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Javi Rueda (Javi Rodríguez, min. 83), Damián Rodríguez, Ilaix Moriba, Óscar Mingueza (Carlos Domínguez, min. 68), Iago Aspas (Bryan Zaragoza, min. 74), Borja Iglesias (Ferran Jutglà, min. 68) and Williot Swedberg (Pablo Durán, min. 74).
PAOK: Pavlenka, Sastre, Vogliacco (Kedziora, min. 74), Michailidis, Baba, Bianco (Soualiho, min. 61), Ozdoev, Despodoy (Zivkovic, min. 70), Mady (Taison, min. 70), Konstantelias and Giakoumakis (Chalov, min. 61).
Goals: 0-1: min. 37, Giakoumakis. 1–1: min. 45+2, Iago Aspas. 2–1: min. 53, Borja Iglesias. 3–1: min 71, Williot Swedberg.
Referee: Igor Pajac (Croatia). For Celta, he booked Óscar Mingueza, Williot Swedberg and Ilaix Moriba. For the Greek side, Giakoumakis and Ozdoev were shown yellow cards.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the second day of the Europa League group stage, played at Abanca Balaídos in front of 20,849 spectators.
