Celta have reached the Europa League Round of 16. And they did it the way European knockout rounds are won: with character. The 1-0 victory against PAOK at Abanca Balaídos, secured by Williot Swedberg, who seems to have figured out the Greek side, sealed a tie that the sky-blues dominated from start to finish.
Claudio Giráldez made only minor changes to the starting eleven compared to the match against Thessaloniki, bringing in Javi Rueda and Matías Vecino. The objective: to minimize risks, maintain possession, and defend with the ball against a PAOK side that initially threatened with a high press but soon retreated, relying on set pieces and a long, drawn-out contest. Only in isolated attacks from corners did Lucescu’s men pose a threat, while Celta remained solid and organized.
With little space to run, Celta opted for patience. They moved the ball from side to side, looked for Iago Aspas between the lines, and found depth on the flanks, although their final pass lacked precision. The game was under control, and that feeling intensified after halftime. With an extra gear, Giráldez’s men returned to the pitch determined to take the lead, and after a serious first warning, the goal soon arrived.
In a flowing team move, Miguel Román started the play, Sergio Carreira provided width, and Borja Iglesias laid it off for Williot Swedberg, who, with a precise and elegant touch, beat Tsiftsis and unleashed euphoria at Abanca Balaídos. A goal that put them on track for qualification, although there was still a long way to go. Celta didn’t back down, continued pressing after losing possession, attacked the spaces left by PAOK’s high defensive line, and came close to a second goal on several counter-attacks, but the score remained unchanged.
The final whistle confirmed what we were all waiting for: Celta Vigo will be in the Europa League round of 16 draw. On the horizon, Olympique Lyonnais or Aston Villa. One of the two will be our next opponent, but in the meantime, let’s enjoy this moment because the dream continues.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
1 – Celta: Andrei Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso (Carlos Domínguez, min. 88); Javi Rueda, Ilaix Moriba (Miguel Román, min. 46), Matías Vecino, Sergio Carreira; Iago Aspas (Ferran Jutglà, min. 67), Williot Swedberg (Jones El-Abdellaoui, min. 77) and Borja Iglesias (Fer López, min. 77).
0 – PAOK: Tsiftsis; Kenny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba; Sánchez, Ozdoev, Bianco (Camara, min. 67), Zafeiris, Chatsidis (Taylor, min. 73); Giakoumakis (Jeremejeff, min. 79).
Goal: 1-0, min. 63: Williot Swedberg.
Referee: Marco Guida (Italy). From Celta side, Ilaix Moriba received a yellow card.
Incidents: The Europa League Round of 32 second leg was played at Abanca Balaídos before 21,306 spectators. Over 20,000 sky-blue flags were distributed at the start of the match as a display of support for this special occasion.
