UEFA Europa League comes back to Balaídos next Thursday 20th with Ajax, a well-known team which Real Club Celta has faced twice. The Dutch team is shaping up as one of the leading opponents of this first stage, reaching this match as the leader of the group.
13 years to face each other again
It was during the UEFA Champions League 2003/04 group stage when the Dutch team and Celta faced each other for the first time. Two intense matches full of alternatives, with a team led by Miguel Ángel Lotina, which had among its line-up players as Alexander Mostovoi, Milosevic, Catanha, Borja Oubiña or the current coach, Eduardo Berizzo. These players were then writing the history of this Vigo team in its very first appearance in the Champions League.
A visit to the Amsterdam Arena
The first of the fixtures between both teams took place in the third match of the group stage when Celta had 2 points after drawing versus the Brugge Club (1-1) and the AC Milan (0-0). The Dutch team, managed by Ronald Koeman, found a Celta that was fiercely looking for its first victory in the competition. Despite the good game of the blue team, a great goal by a young Zlatan Ibrahimovich after an individual action set the concluding 1-0 for the locals.
Balaídos takes revenge
The fourth match made both teams face each other again in Balaídos, turning the field into the perfect scenario to seek the first victory. A thrilling match that would be key in this group stage. The match went ahead after a determined move of Milosevic, when the referee awarded a penalty that Luccin scored from 11 meters away. The second goal came before the break, after a fantastic combo of Sylvinho and Juanfran on the left, where Milosevic appeared again with a header setting the 2-0 on the scoreboard.
Ajax tried to make its way forward up in an intense second half. Sonk scored 2-1 after several chances on the Dutch side, but that first victory could not escape from Balaídos. Vagner picked up a ball inside the box and made the 3-1, bringing respite to Celta. Van der Vaart closed the gap again to set the scoreboard with a closing 3-2 that gave Celta its deserved first victory in the Champions League
The outcome of this group stage is in every Celtist memory. One last epic journey in which Celta and Ajax drew on points in the fight for the second place of the group. San Siro gave judgement with Jesuli and José Ignacio’s historical goals, making Celta reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Will history repeat itself again this UEFA Europa League?
