Celta failed to pick up any points in their European debut after losing 2-1 to Stuttgart in their first match of the UEFA Europa League group stage. The Sky Blues were outplayed for much of the match, but put up a brave fight in the final stretch, narrowing the gap and coming close to equalizing. Borja Iglesias, with his fourth consecutive goal this season, scored for Vigo.
The German team set a high tempo from the start, with constant pressure that made it difficult for Celta to get the ball out of their half. Even so, Claudio Giráldez’s men managed to hold firm at the back during the first 45 minutes, with Radu showing confidence in several key interventions. Celta’s best chance came after Iago Aspas stole the ball and tried to surprise the defense from distance. However, the first half ended goalless, with the visitors holding firm against the home side’s pressure.
In the second half, Stuttgart took the lead with a goal from Bouanani after a long ball behind the defense. Shortly after, El Khannouss scored the second goal with a shot from the edge of the box. Despite the setback, Celta did not give up and were rewarded for their persistence in the 86th minute, when Ilaix Moriba stole the ball in the opposition’s half and assisted Borja Iglesias, who finished with quality. In stoppage time, Bryan Zaragoza had the best chance to equalize, but his shot went just wide.
Following this defeat, Celta will be looking to bounce back this Sunday in LALIGA EA SPORTS against Elche at the Martínez Valero stadium, while their next European fixture will be on Thursday, October 3, at Abanca Balaídos against PAOK.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
2 – VfB Stuttgart: Nubel; Assignon, Jeltsch (Jaquez, min 25), Hendriks, Mittelstadt; Chema Andrés (Karazor, min 70), Stiller; Bouanani (Vagnoman, min 81), El Khannouss (Tiago Tomas, min 70), Jamie Leweling (Fuhrich, min 81); Demirovic.
1 – Celta: Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Mingueza, Beltrán (Hugo Sotelo, min 83), Moriba, Jones (Swedberg, min 62); Aspas (Javi Rueda, min 62), Pablo Durán (Bryan Zaragoza, min 62) and Jutglá (Borja Iglesias, min 52).
Goals: 1-0, min 50: Bouanani; 2-0, min 67: El Khannouss; 2-1, min 86: Borja Iglesias.
Referee: Nicholas Walsh (Scotland). Booked Demirovic and Assignon for Stuttgart, and Williot for Celta.
Match incidents: Celta’s first match since returning to the UEL was played at Stuttgart’s MhP Arena in front of 58,000 spectators. Around 1,200 Celta fans attended the game.
