RC Celta had not lost at home since December 2017. Defeat returned to ABANCA Balaídos against an Alavés in a state of grace, a rival which took advantage of one of its few chances to take the lead and, after scoring, resisted the sky-blue onslaught until the final whistle.
The image of Antonio Mohamed’s team was positive in the first half and after the Basque goal, in the second half, they constantly attacked the rival’s goal. Under the posts they found an imposing Pachecho. The goalkeeper was on the verge of missing the match due to injury and was finally the starter, and instrumental in the match. Boufal, Aspas and Brais had excellent opportunities to score,, frustrated by the Pacense.
The sky-blue manager tried to reactivate the Vigo attack giving entrance to Mor and Sisto, but their presence in the field did not have the expected effect. The scoreboard did not move and, seventeen official matches later, RC Celta felt the bitterness of the defeat in their stadium. Next week, the sky-blue team will host Eibar (Saturday, 18:30), a match in which it will be vital to take three points after six consecutive games without knowing victory.
GAME SHEET
0-RC CELTA: Sergio, Hugo Mallo, Roncaglia, Cabral, Júnior Alonso (Hjulsager, min.87), Beltrán (Emre Mor, min.63), Lobotka, Brais Méndez, Iago Aspas, Dennis Eckert, Boufal (Sisto, min.74).
1-ALAVÉS: Pacheco, Martín, Laguardia, Navarro, Duarte, Manu García, Brasanac (Wakaso, min.75), Pina, Ibai Gómez, Jony (Borja Bastón, min.92), Calleri (Sobrino, min.74).
Goals: Tomás Pina (0-1, min.58).
Referee: From Cerro Grande, of the Madrid committee. He admonished Cabral, Hjulsager (Celta); Laguardia, Calleri, Tomás Pina (Alavés).
Stadium: ABANCA Balaídos (15,627 spectators).
Observations: before the beginning of the match, a minute of silence was kept in memory of Luka Malesev, assistant coach of RC Celta in the 80’s.
