Celta picked up a point after playing out a goalless draw against Elche CF at the Martínez Valero. Back in LaLiga EA Sports following the international break, both sides cancelled each other out in a match played in sweltering heat, with the defences coming out on top.
Before kick-off, the stadium paid tribute to Borja Iglesias, a world champion with the Spanish national team, and Aleix Febas, who returned to Elche after playing a key role for the Franjiverde side over the past few seasons.
Once the match got underway, the hosts applied pressure for much of the first half, but Celta remained solid and organised, with Andrei Radu proving reliable between the posts.
After the break, the Vigo side stepped up, pushed further forward and looked more determined to find a way past Matías Dituro. Claudio Giráldez made changes to freshen up the attack and, in the 88th minute, Couhaib Driouech found himself one-on-one with the home goalkeeper, but his angled effort drifted narrowly wide. Deep into stoppage time, Radu reacted sharply to keep out a shot from Martim Neto and secure a share of the points.
Celta have now recorded their fourth away draw in LaLiga EA Sports and are turning their attention to the UEFA Europa League. Next Thursday, 15 October, the Sky Blues will welcome Juventus to Abanca Balaídos for their first European night at home this season.
MATCH DETAILS:
Elche CF: Matías Dituro; Rubén Sánchez, Morcillo, Chust, Revivo, Germán Valera; Gonzalo Villar (Martim Neto, 71′), Aguado, Lemar (Buonanotte, 87′); Tete Morente (Abiel Osorio, 59′) and Fer Niño (Lucas Cepeda, 71′).
Celta: Andrei Radu; Álvaro Núñez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso; Javi Rueda, Ilaix Moriba, Aleix Febas (Hugo Burcio, 83′), Javi Galán (Sergio Carreira, 71′); Hugo Álvarez (Couhaib Driouech, 71′), Pablo Durán (Borja Iglesias, 60′) and Ferran Jutglà (Williot Swedberg, 71′).
Referee: Javier Alberola (Castilla-La Mancha Referees’ Committee). Booked Yoel Lago (36′), Javi Rueda (59′) and Aleix Febas (81′) for Celta, and Aguado (90+1′) for Elche CF.
Incidents: Matchday 8 of LaLiga EA Sports, played at the Martínez Valero Stadium in front of 25,470 spectators. Before kick-off, Elche CF presented Borja Iglesias with a gift in recognition of his status as a world champion and paid tribute to former Franjiverde player Aleix Febas.
