A goal by Iago Aspas takes RC Celta out of the relegation places in the Santander League, a goal that certified the clear superiority during the second half of the sky-blue team in Balaídos against Athletic (1-0), which closes the first round of the championship with their third straight loss.
Carlos Carvalhal made important changes to his starting team, system and player swaps, with the news, among others, of Tapia, Óscar Rodríguez and Carles Pérez. Celta moved by propulsion in the first quarter of an hour. With just twenty-five seconds Carles Pérez scored a goal that, after the VAR referee review, was annulled because the ball touched the player's arm in a jump with Vivian.
The celestial start was spirited. With his overflow, close to the right wing, Carles Pérez caused some imbalance in Athletic. His companions took advantage of that advantage. Carles Pérez teamed up with Aspas, he opened for the arrival from the other side of Luca de la Torre, who tested with a great cross shot that Unai Simón caught. It was the best Galician occasion in the first half.
That start of Celta was weakening, partly because it did not have an organizer to direct the creation zone. Athletic positioned itself, took several steps forward, began to move the ball. Around minute twenty, Berenguer warned with a shot. Much clearer was the one he had shortly after. In a beautiful team action, drawn with a rhythm, Dani García put the ball into Yuri's left wing, Guruceta accommodated the lateral center and Berenguer hooked a volley from eleven meters that crashed into a post. Athletic disturbed there Balaídos.
The first half was irregular, with few occasions, unpleasant. The coaches made changes at halftime; one Ernesto Valverde, two Carlos Carvalhal. Celta, with Larsen releasing Aspas in attack, greatly improved their image. He won more duels, he seized possession of the ball. Carles Pérez tried it with several shots. The Galician team was more vertical, but without punch. Until Iago Aspas appeared.
The sky-blue striker took advantage of an error by the Basque team midway through the second half to show off his aim. A bad serve by Unai Núñez, completed with poor control by Sancet in midfield, allowed Luca de la Torre to hit a long pass towards Aspas, faster in the run than Vivian, lethal in the one-on-one against Unai Simón . That goal was the award for celestial superiority during the second half.
The goal did not wake up Athletic, annulled at all times by Celta. A very high shot from Sancet from outside the area was the only thing that Ernesto Valverde's team created, desperate on the wing, powerless before the poor presence of his team in Balaídos.
1. RC Celta: Marchesin; Mingueza, Aidoo, Unai Núñez, Javi Galán; Carles Pérez (Solari, min. 91), Tapia (Beltrán, min. 46), Óscar Rodríguez (Larsen, min. 46), Luca de la Torre (Kevin, min. 85); Gabri Veiga (Cervi, min. 81) and Aspas.
0. Athletic: Unai Simón; Lekue (De Marcos, min. 73), Vivian, Yeray (Vesga, min. 66), Yuri; Dani García, Ander Herrera (Sancet min. 46); Nico Williams (Zárraga, min. 66), Muniain (Raúl García, min. 66), Berenguer; y Cross.
Goals: 1-0 Aspas (min. 70)
Referee: Díaz de Mera (Castilian-La Mancha school). He admonished Tapia (min. 35), Unai Núñez (min. 81) by Celta; and Yeray (min. 61) and Zárraga (min. 86) by Athletic.
Incidents: Match corresponding to day 19 of LaLiga Santander played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium before 14,754 spectators.
