Celta were unable to take any points from their visit to Razgrad after falling 3–2 in a match shaped by the hosts’ efficiency and by a late reaction that arrived when the game was already heavily conditioned. The Vigo side fought until the final minute, but their late push was not enough to overturn a contest that had tilted early in Ludogorets’ favour.
The first half began poorly for the Celestes, who conceded a penalty in the opening stages and saw Ludogorets take control with greater determination. Despite a few attempts to settle in the opposition half, clear chances were scarce and halftime arrived with the feeling that the team needed more precision and composure to fully get into the match.
The start of the second half brought little relief. Ludogorets once again found the route to goal and, shortly after, extended their lead from the penalty spot. With the scoreboard against them and no room for error, Celta dug deep. The reaction took shape with twenty minutes remaining thanks to a good finish from Pablo Durán and intensified in the closing moments with a well-taken goal from Jones El Abdellaoui after a collective effort. The team ended the match camped around the Bulgarian area, but time ran out before a comeback that had gone from unlikely to within reach could be completed.
The defeat forces a review of mistakes, though it also confirms that the team has the tools to compete with ambition. With the lesson learned, Celta now shift their focus to the next match, intent on fine-tuning details, regaining their rhythm, and turning good sensations into points.
TECHNICAL SHEET:
3 – Ludogorets: Bonmann; Son, Verdon, Almeida, Nedyalkov (Marcus, min.76); Deroy Duarte, Naressi (Kaloc, min.76), Yordanov; Caio Vidal (Bile, min.85), Petar Stanić and Aguibou Camara (Chochev, min.59).
2 – Celta: Iván Villar; Jones, Manu Fernández, Yoel Lago (Starfelt, min.66), Mihailo Ristic, Óscar Mingueza; Ilaix Moriba, Damián Rodríguez (Miguel Román, min.46); Ángel Arcos (Bryan Zaragoza, min.57), Ferran Jutglà (Pablo Durán, min.46) and Borja Iglesias (Iago Aspas, min.57).
Goals: 1-0, m.11: Petar Stanić, de penalti. 2-0, m.49: Petar Stanić. 3-0, m.62: Petar Stanić, de penalti. 3-1, m.69: Pablo Durán. 3-2, m.95: Jones El-Abdellaoui.
Referee: Balázs Berke (Hungary). He booked Aguibou Camara (53’) for Ludogorets and Yoel Lago (63’) for Celta.
Attendance: Match corresponding to the fifth round of the UEL, played at the Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad. The game was highlighted by Ángel Arcos making his first-team start for Celta, Jones El-Abdellaoui scoring his first official goal, and Iago Aspas reaching his 600th match as a professional.
