Celta de Vigo celebrated a notable 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on December 22, 2023, at the Estadio de Balaídos, disrupting the latter's impressive streak of six matches without defeat. The match, part of LaLiga EA Sports, showcased the formidable home advantage Celta holds, having secured most of their points within this stadium.
Pablo Durán was the standout player, scoring both goals for Celta, with the first one coming after his impressive strike from outside the box, and the second arrived just before half-time when he tapped the ball home from close range following excellent play from fellow teammates Alfon and Borja Iglesias. Celta dominated the proceedings from the onset, displaying strength and tactical acumen under coach Claudio Giráldez, which baffled the visiting team.
Durán expressed his joy post-game, stating, “It’s incredible. Scoring goals is amazing, and scoring two for the victory at home is even more special. All week we practiced this, and it worked out well.” This victory not only showcased Durán's individual talent, having transitioned from playing three years ago at the regional level to becoming the key figure for the team, but also reflected the collective effort of the younger squad members.
Celta's triumph at Balaídos has reinforced their pursuit of higher league positions, as they sit just three points behind the coveted sixth spot, which could lead to European competition next season. Their performance at home has been particularly impressive, with this game adding to their reputation as one of the toughest teams to face at Balaídos, rivaled only by giants like Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
On the other hand, the loss was disappointing for Real Sociedad, who seemed out of sorts throughout the match. Imanol Alguacil, the head coach for Real Sociedad, acknowledged the failure of his squad to meet competitive standards during the game, particularly citing their lack of effectiveness during the first half where they faltered significantly. He noted, “We just weren't good, especially in the first half. We need to put more effort and be more competitive,” signaling the need for improvement as the season progresses.
The absence of key players severely hampered Real Sociedad's performance, highlighted by the lack of cohesion and threat up front. Despite making substitutions during the half-time interval, Alguacil's squad struggled to penetrate Celta’s disciplined defensive setup, which effectively neutralized any potential goal-scoring opportunities.
Going forward, Celta aims to build on this recent success to maintain their momentum, as they will look to face Racing on January 5, 2024, in the Copa del Rey, signaling the ambition for silverware this season. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad will need to regroup, as they also prepare for their Copa del Rey match against Ponferradina on the same day, facing the challenge of bouncing back from this disappointment.
This match has not only served as a wake-up call for Real Sociedad but also heightened the optimism surrounding Celta’s youthful setup and their potential for the remainder of the season. Giráldez reflected positively on the future, stating, “At Balaídos, Celta has shown they are very strong. We've got to be more consistent if we want to achieve European football next season.”
With the winter break approaching, both teams will be eager to conclude this calendar year on strong notes.
