Celta earned a point in their visit to La Cartuja after drawing (1-1) against Real Betis Balompié, a division of points that maintains equality in the standings. The Celestes took the lead early with a goal from Ferran Jutglà in the 4th minute, but the Verdiblanco team reacted in the second half and found the equalizer through Héctor Bellerín.
Claudio Giráldez’s team started with personality and struck first. Jutglà took advantage of an opponent’s loss to try his luck from distance and put Celta ahead. After this early goal, the Celestes showed themselves firm and organized during the first half, controlling the pace of the match and generating several dangerous chances that could have extended the lead before the break, but they did not.
At the exit from the locker rooms, Betis took a step forward and found the equalizer very soon. As had happened in the first half with Ferran, Héctor Bellerín saw goal in the first minutes of the second half by finishing a play started by Aitor Ruibal, who became a constant nuisance for the Celeste defense throughout the second half. The Vigo team insisted in search of the second and even managed to score through Borja Iglesias, although the goal was disallowed for offside. Nevertheless, Celta knew how to remain firm, resisting the Verdiblanco push and also threatening on the counterattack in a very open final stretch.
Now, with the point earned in Seville, the Celeste team remains firm in the domestic competition and already sets its sights on its next challenges. Before returning to Abanca Balaídos in the league to host Deportivo Alavés, Celta will face a demanding European challenge in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League round of sixteen against Olympique de Lyon.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
1 – Real Betis Balompié: Álvaro Valles; Bellerín, Marc Bartra, Natan, Junior Firpo (Valentín Gómez, m.67) ; Marc Roca, Fidalgo (Altimira, m.86), Pablo Fornals; Aitor Ruibal, Ez Abde (Antony, m.67); and Cucho Hernández (Bakambu, m.80).
1 – Celta: Radu; Álvaro Núñez (Javi Rodríguez, m.58), Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Óscar Mingueza, Hugo Sotelo, Fer López (Moriba, m.58), Carreira; Pablo Durán (El-Abdellaoui, m.79), Ferran Jutglà (Williot, m.66) and Hugo Álvarez (Borja Iglesias, m.66).
Goals: 0-1, M.04: Ferran Jutglà. 1-1, M.49: Bellerín.
Referee: José María Sánchez (Murcian Committee). He sent off a member of the Betis coaching staff in the 62nd minute. In addition, he booked the home players Cucho Hernández (61′) and Antony (92′) and the visiting players Marcos Alonso (62′), Mingueza (81′), and Moriba.
Incidents: Match corresponding to Matchday 28 of LALIGA EA SPORTS played at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
