AlmerÃa continues without winning at home after drawing 2-2 this Sunday in their visit to BalaÃdos, where Celta missed an unbeatable opportunity to get hooked on the fight for Europe, in an exciting game that Iago Aspas was able to unbalance at the last breath with a spectacular shot that crashed into the post.
Celta had to manage the two blows that AlmerÃa gave in the first half. The first seven minutes into the game, after a corner kick that Babic finished off after beating Luca de la Torre on the jump. He reacted to that in just two minutes, taking advantage of his rival’s defensive fragility: Aspas connected with Veiga, the midfielder entered the area with power and looked for Seferovic, who only had to push it.
With the match even again, Carlos Carvalhal’s team dominated their rival. He raised the revolutions looking to punish the doubts of his rival, who made several improper errors in the ball out that could cost him a displeasure before he returned to take the lead.
He did it with the genius of Colombian striker Luis Suárez, who skilfully won the duel against center-back Aidoo, much more physical but unable to recover the position to take the ball from the coffee grower. He did all the work and his teammate Arnau Puigmal celebrated the goal.
Celta did not go crazy. He kept looking for an equalizer from the control of the game, but his best chances came after errors by AlmerÃa in the construction of their game. Luca de la Torre and Aspas did not take advantage of it. Defensive doubts multiplied for AlmerÃa, who were able to increase their advantage but Iván Villar avoided Arnau Puigmal’s double.
Soccer, once again, punished Rubi’s team because in the next play another error in the ball was destroyed. Samu gave away a ball on the edge of the area, where Carles Pérez appeared to take a powerful shot that hit the post, impossible for Fernando.
The frantic rhythm of the first half continued at the start of the second. Both were able to get ahead. Aspas, who still hasn’t scored a goal against AlmerÃa in the First Division, met Fernando. A minute later, after a steal from Arnau in midfield, Luis Suárez stood up to Iván Villar but sent his shot wide.
Celta breathed, accelerated at times in attack. Carvalhal refreshed his team, which continued without generating clear chances. He looked for it with centers and long shots. With the passing of the minutes, AlmerÃa began to take the tie for good. He slowed down his lines, and lengthened each throw-in. Even so, they enjoyed a very clear opportunity to dream of their first away victory of the course but Samu, after an error by Unai Núñez on clearance, sent his shot wide.
Celta kept pressing, and at the last minute Aspas came up with a genius but the post repelled his shot to avoid his team’s third consecutive win against their fans. It would be too much punishment for AlmerÃa.
Consult all the results of the Santander League.
Celtic RC: Iván Villar; Hugo Mallo, Aidoo, Unai Núñez, Javi Galán; Carles Pérez (Larsen, min.66), Beltrán, Gabri Veiga (Cervi, min.84), Luca de la Torre (Tapia, min.56); Aspas and Seferovic (Patience, min.84).
AlmerÃa: Fernando; Chumi, Ely, Babic, Centelles; Robertone, Samu (Kaiku, min.90); Arnau Puigmal (Alex Pozo, min.60), Melero (De La Hoz, min.79), Baptistao (Ramazani, min.60); Luis Suárez (Lázaro, min.90).
Goals: 0-1 Babic, min.7; 1-1 Seferovic, min.10; 1-2 Arnau Puigmal, min.31; 2-2 Carles Pérez, min.41
Referee: Hernández Hernández (Canarian committee). He admonished Carles Pérez, Iago Aspas and Gabri Veiga for Celta, and Arnau Puigmal, Fernando Samu and Luis Suárez for AlmerÃa.
Incidents: Match corresponding to day 27 of LaLiga Santander played at the Abanca BalaÃdos stadium before 14,011 spectators. The subscriber Julián Mouriño Trigo, 101 years old, made the kick-off.