The Celta put in a strong performance and took the lead through a Pablo Durán goal, but were left disappointed against a Union Saint-Gilloise side that defended well, took their chances and had an inspired goalkeeper between the posts.
Before kick-off, Abanca Balaídos held a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Urda railway accident and following the recent passing of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel. After this tribute, Claudio Giráldez’s side started with confidence and were rewarded in the 11th minute, when Sergio Carreira set up Pablo Durán to make it 1-0. The Belgian side equalised in the 35th minute through Besfort Zeneli, and the teams went into the break level.
After the restart, Zeneli made it 1-2 in the 49th minute. Far from giving up, Celta dug deep and responded in their usual style, pushing forward and playing in the opposition half, only to be denied by an inspired Hervé Koffi, who kept his side in the game with several fine saves. Giráldez made changes to freshen up the attack and, in the 80th minute, Andrei Radu kept Celta in contention by saving a penalty from Zeneli. The Vigo side pushed until the final whistle, but the ball simply would not go in.
Celta now turn their attention to next Sunday, 8 November, at 18:30, when they will host Levante UD in LaLiga EA Sports, determined to return to winning ways before the international break.
MATCH DETAILS:
1 – Celta: Andrei Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso; Javi Rueda (Ferran Jutglà, 81′), Aleix Febas (Iago Aspas, 60′), Hugo Burcio (Andrés Antañón, 81′), Sergio Carreira; Hugo Álvarez (Ilaix Moriba, 60′), Pablo Durán and Williot Swedberg (Couhaib Driouech, 71′).
2 – Royale Union Saint-Gilloise: Hervé Koffi; Nohim Chibani, Massiré Sylla, Nikki Havenaar (Ross Sykes, 81′); Louis Patris, Kamiel Van de Perre, Adem Zorgane (Dylan Aquino, 66′), Guilherme Smith (Ilan Hurtevent, 81′); Relebohile Mofokeng (Darius Olaru, 86′), Besfort Zeneli and Kevin Rodríguez (Denzel De Roeve, 66′).
Goals: 1-0, 11′: Pablo Durán; 1-1, 35′: Besfort Zeneli; 1-2, 49′: Besfort Zeneli.
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan). Booked Pablo Durán (90+5′) for Celta and Guilherme Smith (71′) for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Attendance: Matchday 4 of the UEFA Europa League league phase, played at Abanca Balaídos in front of 19,661 spectators.
