Celta found their way to victory in the second half, but had to fight until the very end to secure it. Ferran Jutglà and Javi Rodríguez put the Sky Blues 2-0 ahead against Deportivo Alavés at Abanca Balaídos, but Hugo Novoa’s late goal narrowed the gap, stirred up the waters and forced Radu to produce several decisive saves to keep all three points in Vigo.
The match began with plenty of battles and few clear chances. Both teams looked to impose their rhythm, but the defences stood firm and the score remained unchanged at half-time. After the break, Claudio Giráldez’s substitutions gave Celta renewed impetus, allowing them to find more space and threaten the opposition’s area.
In the 53rd minute, Javi Rodríguez broke the deadlock with a powerful run and a precise pass that Jutglà converted to make it 1-0. The academy graduate wanted more and, in the 71st minute, doubled the lead with an excellent individual move inside the box to make it 2-0 and put Celta in control.
However, Alavés had not said their final word. Hugo Novoa pulled one back in the 87th minute with a superb strike into the top corner, setting up a tense finale in which Radu had to be at his best. The goalkeeper produced two decisive saves to preserve the lead and ensure all three points stayed at home.
With the treasure safely secured, Celta extend their positive run in LaLiga and turn their attention to their next European challenge. On Thursday, 22 October, at 21:00, the Sky Blues will visit Celtic Park looking to claim their first win of the UEFA Europa League campaign.
MATCH DETAILS:
2 – Celta: Andrei Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, Sebastián Cáceres (Marcos Alonso, 77′); Sergio Carreira, Hugo Burcio (Andrés Antañón, 70′), Ilaix Moriba (Aleix Febas, 46′), Hugo Álvarez; Couhaib Driouech (Iago Aspas, 70′), Ferran Jutglà and Williot Swedberg (Javi Rueda, 46′).
1 – Deportivo Alavés: Antonio Sivera; Nahuel Tenaglia, Jonny Otto (Hugo Novoa, 62′), Ville Koski, Valentini, Abderrahman Rebbach (Aitor Mañas, 88′); Pablo Ibáñez, Antonio Blanco (Ander Guevara, 88′), Carles Aleñá (Denis Suárez, 62′); Toni Martínez (Mariano Díaz, 62′) and Lucas Boyé.
Goals: 1-0, 53′: Ferran Jutglà; 2-0, 71′: Javi Rodríguez; 2-1, 87′: Hugo Novoa.
Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero (Andalusian Committee). Booked Sebastián Cáceres (15′) for Celta and Toni Martínez (45′) for Deportivo Alavés.
Incidents: Matchday 9 of LaLiga EA Sports, played at Abanca Balaídos in front of 19,568 spectators.
