Rafa Benítez's Celta arrived euphoric at the start of LaLiga EA Sports due to their excellent preseason, but Osasuna sent them to the canvas in their first official match with two slaps: one from Rubén García in the first half and another from Moi Gómez in the second half. second, that they brought out the celestial hardships.
Jagoba Arrasate's slate and his reading of the game dismasted Celta, powerless to face the rojilla superiority. Benítez's team was a shadow of the one that exhibited solidity during the preseason. He again generated doubts in the aerial game, and with the ball at his feet he was not creative either.
His best chance came after a mistake by Moncayola in midfield allowed Larsen to mount a quick counterattack. The young Norwegian striker did everything well, but his left-footed shot went too cross. Aspas' companion still lacks a goal.
That came when Osasuna, much superior during the first 45 minutes, was already in command on the scoreboard. Arrasate won the tactical battle against Benítez, who also condemned his team by placing Argentine winger Franco Cervi as left back and leaving Peruvian international Renato Tapia on the bench, his most physical and strong midfielder up front.
The Basque coach had superiority in the creation zone, behind the young Hugo Sotelo. Beltrán was unable to withstand the rojillo push. To this was added that each lateral center to the Galician area became a threat to the sky-blue defense, very fragile in the air. Budimir was the first to touch the goal. The Croatian international chested down a cross from Moncayola, adjusted his body and unleashed a powerful shot that hit the crossbar before Iván Villar watched.
Celta had no answer, and after minute 20 they were hit with another ball hanging in their area: Budimir took advantage of the mismatch between Mingueza and Aidoo but between Iván Villar and the crossbar they prevented his headed goal. The rejection fell to Rubén García, and he did not fail.
The 0-1 hurt Celta. His attackers were missing, and Catena made it 0-2 with another header that showed the fragility of his rival's area. Benítez has detected it, and that is why he hastened the arrival of the Swedish central defender Carl Starfelt.
Before the break, Larsen had the equalizer but his shot, with his left foot, after a strong gallop went wide. He improved Celta in the second half. Budimir scored a goal for Bamba under the sticks as soon as the match resumed.
Osasuna lost prominence in the creation zone, and Aspas was able to equalize but the Spanish international lacks the spark of before. A bad clearance from Mojica ended up at his feet, but slowly, he gave Moncayola time to unbalance him just before arming his leg. The shot from him came to nothing. He tried again later, but with the same luck.
Benítez moved the bench. He introduced Miguel Rodríguez and gave twenty minutes to Gabri Veiga, the hero of the suffered permanence last season. A new sample of which the international sub-21 is to a step of the Naples. But just when the youth squad player entered the field, Osasuna scored with a goal from Moi Gómez. Benítez has a lot of work to do and his team is crying out for reinforcements. The first day of the course was another blow to the illusion of Celticism.
See all the results of the EA Sports League.
Celtic: Iván Villar; Mingueza, Aidoo, Unai Núñez, Cervi (Manu Sánchez, min.81); Carles Pérez (Miguel Rodríguez, min.62), Hugo Sotelo (Luca de la Torre, min.81), Fran Beltrán, Bamba; Aspas (Swedberg, min.81) and Larsen (Gabri Veiga, min.72).
Osasuna: Sergio Herrera; Peña, Catena, David García, Mojica; Torró (Iker Muñoz, min.89, Moncayola (Arnáiz, min.89); Rubén García (Pablo Ibáñez, min.66), Aimar Oroz (Areso, min.79), Moi Gómez; and Budimir (Chimy Ávila, min. 79).
Goals: 0-1, min.23: Rubén García. 0-2, min.73: Moi Gomez.
Referee: González Fuertes (Asturian committee). Warning to Unai Núñez (min.30), by Celta, and to Torró (min.50), by Osasuna.
Incidents: match corresponding to the first day of LaLiga EA Sports played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium before 20,269 spectators.
