Celta Vigo endured a tough battle against CA Osasuna, securing a narrow 1-0 victory at Balaídos on Friday night. The win is pivotal for the Galician team, who aimed to propel themselves away from the relegation zone and keep their hopes alive for European competition.
The match was characterized by contrasting halves. Osasuna dominated the early exchanges, pressing hard and creating several early opportunities, but failing to convert any. They seemed to have the upper hand, with Bryan Zaragoza and Ante Budimir featuring prominently as they searched for the opening goal. Yet, Celta's defense held strong, led by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, who ensured the scores remained level through impressive saves.
Initially, Celta struggled to find their footing, appearing somewhat disjointed. Their first 45 minutes lacked the attacking flair expected from the home side, and they went to halftime without having tested Osasuna’s goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera, significantly. The lackluster first half showcased Osasuna's defensive setup, which nullified any potential threats posed by Celta's forwards.
Manager Claudio Giráldez knew changes were necessary, and he introduced seasoned striker Iago Aspas at the start of the second half to turn the tide. Just four minutes after Aspas entered the game, he played a pivotal role, winning a penalty after Borja Iglesias was fouled by Lucas Torró, who was deemed to have brought him down within the area.
With the fate of the match resting on his shoulders, Aspas calmly converted the penalty kick, sending the ball just out of Herrera’s reach, igniting celebrations among the home fans. The goal came at the right moment for Celta, who had begun to grow more comfortable in the game after their shaky start. Aspas's ability to change the dynamic was evident, bringing fresh energy and sharpness to Celta's attacking play.
Although they held the lead, the remainder of the match was not without drama. Osasuna, refusing to back down, pressed for the equalizer. They nearly succeeded late on when Arnaiz found space to shoot, but Guaita was there to deny the opportunity with another excellent save. The tension increased as Osasuna pushed forward, creating several corners, but Celta's defense, marshalled by Javi Rodríguez and Carl Starfelt, stood resolute.
After the final whistle blew, Celta celebrated not only for the three points but also for climbing the league table, which now places them just three points shy of the European qualification spots. The victory eases relegation fears, reminding the team and fans of their potential as they aim for the upper echelons of LaLiga.
Reflecting on the victory, Aspas spoke to reporters, saying, "It cost us the first half. We did not understand the pressure. The second half changed after the coach’s instructions at halftime." His reassurances came after Moncayola, from Osasuna, acknowledged their shortcomings, noting, "At the end, one mistake costs us the penalty, and it could not be. We are struggling to score and generate chances. We need to look at these details to improve our situation."
The match not only marked another strong performance by Celta but also highlighted the competitive nature of LaLiga, where every point gained is invaluable. With tough fixtures looming, Aspas concluded, "We will dream of thinking about the next game. There are 13 or 14 matches left, and we will fight to win the next game."
On the defensive side, Giráldez praised his team's resilience against the rugged approach from Osasuna, who had gone five games without defeat prior to this encounter. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and continuity to keep climbing the league table.
With Celta's hopes reignited for the season, fans now look toward upcoming fixtures with anticipation, hoping Iago Aspas, along with Borja Iglesias and the rest of the squad, can continue to drive the team forward toward European dreams.