With a great goal from the Norwegian Jorgen Strand Larsen – a high-heeled shot after a mistake by the Portuguese goalkeeper André Ferreira at the start – and a lot of defensive order, Celta added this Saturday against Granada a vital victory in their race for permanence, the first which celebrates this year in Balaídos (1-0). The Vigo team, which arrived with its coach Rafa Benítez in question, had gone 12 games without winning in the First Division, its worst streak since 1990. The three points also serve to open the record of victories at home this season.
The Galician team once again had another poor game. In the second half he gave the ball to Granada for many minutes, and that caused a loud whistle from his fans, especially after Vicente Guaita avoided the tie in the 63rd minute with a great save from Lucas Boyé, with whom Bryan had connected Zaragoza after a loss of Bamba in the center of the field.
With his genius, Larsen avoided a match condemned to no contest. Both showed why they occupy relegation positions. Light blue and red and white have a monumental problem generating chances with a combinative game, despite the fact that the young Bryan Zaragoza, signed by Bayern Munich, once again left details of his verticality in Balaídos.
He was the one who put Celta in check with his speed on the left wing, where he created numerous problems for full-back Kevin Vázquez at the beginning of the second half. In the 59th minute, he almost equalized with a cross shot that went wide by centimeters.
Benítez refreshed the wing with the entry of Mingueza and the midfield with Luca de la Torre. His team was already focused on preserving the result. He barely attacked. And with ten minutes left he received another blow with the expulsion of Iago Aspas, who saw a direct red card for a harsh challenge on Melendo.
But with ten players, Celta knew how to suffer to avoid a draw against a Granada team that pushed until the end but without generating clear chances. The Nasrid team leaves Vigo very shaken, stretching to thirteen days without winning. Permanence is already five points away.
Check all the results of the EA Sports League.
Celta: Guaita; Kevin Vázquez (Mingueza, min.61), Unai Núñez, Carlos Domínguez, Ristic; Bamba (Luca de la Torre, min.71), Tapia, Dotor (Fran Beltrán, min.90), Cervi; Aspas y Strand Larsen (Douvikas, min.71).
Granada: André; Ricard (Callejón, min.81), Miquel, Torrente, Carlos Neva (Carreras, min.81), Gumbau, Sergio Ruiz (Puertas, min.88), Gonzalo Villar (Melendo, min.70), Bryan, Uzuni, Lucas Boyé (Famara, min.81).
Goal: 1-0, m.20: Larsen.
Referee: Sánchez Martínez (Murcian committee). He sent off Iago Aspas with a direct red card (min.80). In addition, Larsen (min.19), Kevin Vázquez (min.28), Guaita (min.65), Dotor (min.69), Ristic (min.74) and Carlos Domínguez (min.83) were cautioned by the Celta, and to Gumbau (min.92) and Famara (min.93) by Granada.
Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 17 of LaLiga played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium in front of 18,027 spectators.
