January – Part 1
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Liga BBVA
Malaga 2 - 2 Celta
Sergio - Mallo (Gomez '78) Cabral Mammana Jonny (Planas '78) - Wass Fernandez (c) - Sarabia Hernandez Drazic (Radoja '56) - Aspas
Goals: Wass ('13), Cabral ('35), Torres ('47), Duda ('83)
MoM: Duda
A disappointing collapse for Celta at the start of January, especially when the team so needed a result after the two defeats at the end of December. What made it all the more crushing for Makélélé's side was throwing away a two goal lead, in a game that had looked to promising for Los Celestes. Danish midfielder Wass got his side going with a well taken goal, running onto a well crafted through ball from Pablo Sarabia to give Celta the lead after just a quarter of an hour. Gustavo Cabral added a second ten minutes before half time, his first of the season, smashing the ball home from close range after Aspas nodded the ball down for him after a free kick. The Galicians looked set to be cruising to victory, until Malaga centre back Miguel Torres rose above his marker to steer the ball into the net with his head from a corner just minutes after the start of the second half. Despite Makélélé's attempts to shore up his defence, bringing on two replacement full backs, as well as the defensively minded Radoja, there was nothing he could do to prevent Malaga captain Duda's sensational late equaliser. The veteran Brazilian received a pass from Tissone on the edge of the box and unleashed a spectacular long range strike that nestled in the back of the net. Despite their best efforts, Celta could not find that crucial third goal and the game finished with both teams sharing the spoils.
Copa del Rey 5th Round 1st Leg
Rayo 2 - 2 Celta
Blanco - Jonny Cabral (c) Mammana Planas - Radoja Madinda - Wass Señe (Hernandez '63) Drazic (Bongonda '63) - Guidetti
Goals: Guidetti (pen '14, '87), Miku ('21), Bangoura ('60)
MoM: John Guidetti
Another first leg cup performance that will be viewed by many in the Celta camp as a disappointment. Despite coming away with a draw, Celta were definitely the poorer team at Vallecas, having considerably less possession and attempts at goal than their opponents. The game started well for Celta, with John Guidetti showing good composure to score from the penalty spot after Rayo's Diego Llorente tripped Dejan Drazic in the box. However just seven minutes later, the team from Madrid responded through striker Miku, who scored a terrific volley after sprinting ahead of his marker to meet a cross from Tito and bring the scores level. Rayo then took the lead shortly after the beginning of the second half, with Guinean winger Lass Bangoura doing very well to score from an especially tight angle after gliding past Carles Planas. With only three minutes to go, Rayo's fans were confident that they would win the first leg, however Guidetti had other ideas. Planas atoned for his defensive lapse earlier in the game by making a fantastic interception on the left flank, before playing a lovely ball forward for the Swedish striker to run onto. One on one with the 'keeper, Guidetti swerved to the left and curled the ball beautifully past Toño to bring the scores level and take two important away goals back to Balaidos.
Liga BBVA
Celta 2 - 2 Atletico
Sergio - Mallo Cabral Mammana Planas - Madinda Fernandez (c) - Wass Aspas (Hernandez ('63) Sarabia - Guidetti
Goals: Griezmann ('24), Guidetti ('26, '41), Gabi (pen '33)
MoM: John Guidetti
Another 2-2 draw in the league for Celta, nonetheless this one definitely has some merit, considering the strength of the opposition. Despite their recent successes in the league, Atletico have been struggling this season, and are well out of the title race. Having sacked Diego Simeone, the man who led them to a league title and Champions League final in 2014, in November, and replaced him with Marcelo Bielsa, los Colchoneros have still struggled. They seemed to be doing well when French international Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring with a well timed header from a corner that hit the bar before going in, only for Guidetti, who has quickly established himself as Celta's first choice striker, the level the scores just two minutes later after an Augusto Fernandez header was parried by Jan Oblak. Once again, Atletico took the lead, this time through a penalty taken by Gabi after Hugo Mallo upended Oliver Torres in the box, only for Guidetti to strike again, this time scoring a wonderful diving header from Mallo's cross. No doubt the Atletico fans will be frustrated at their inability to hold onto a lead, whereas their Galician counterparts will be pleased at their teams determination and character to salvage a point.
Copa del Rey 5th Round 2nd Leg
Celta 1 - 1 Rayo
Blanco - Mammana Cabral (c) (Goldar '75) Gomez Planas - Radoja Madinda (Cheikh '90) - Wass Señe Drazic (Bongonda '61) - Aspas
Goals: Señe ('31), Guerra ('47)
MoM: Levy Madinda
Not the best of games for Los Celestes, but one which secured their place in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey. The best part of the game was undoubtedly youth prospect Josep Señe getting on the scoreboard, his first goal for Celta. The young midfielder received a pass from Madinda, on the edge of the box, then turned and instinctively shot at goal, with the ball flying under Rayo's 'keeper Juan Carlos to give Celta the advantage. Rayo eventually managed to breach Celta's defence, having failed to even get into the final third, although more through their own failings rather than Celta's defensive prowess. Striker Javi Guerra had the ball put on a plate for him by on loan winger Pablo Hernandez. The former Swansea City player surged into the box, drawing defenders with him, before playing a simple pass to the striker who only had to pass the ball into the net. The rest of the game continued with neither side able to really threaten each other's goal, and as the final whistle blew Celta's players looked relieved to have gotten through. The next cup game will be a much sterner test, two quarter final legs against wealthy powerhouse Real Madrid.
Liga BBVA
Celta 3 - 0 Levante
Sergio - Mallo Cabral Gomez Planas (Jonny '62) - Wass Fernandez (c) - Drazic (Radoja '80) Aspas Sarabia (Bongonda '80) - Guidetti
Goals: Guidetti ('43, '57), Aspas ('83)
MoM: John Guidetti
Celta finally recorded a long overdue first win of the month against Levante, a team doing relatively well in the league. John Guidetti was once again the star of the show, scoring the game's first goal with an acrobatic volley from a cross from Planas. The former Manchester City striker followed this up with another goal some fourteen minutes later, meeting another cross, this time for Daniel Wass, again on the valley to crack off a cannon of a shot that dinked off the inside of the left post and rolled in. Guidetti looked absolutely delighted with his second goal of the game, and ran over to the Celta dugout to give Makélélé, the manager that has shown so much faith in his abilities, a high five and to wave to the fans that chanted his name. Celta's forwards weren't finished scoring however, with local hero Iago Aspas getting his tenth goal of the season after receiving a scything through ball from Wass and curling it round the Levante goalkeeper to give Celta all three points.
In Other News
Defensive minded midfielder Borja Fernandez has joined Liga Adelante team Mirandes on loan. The 20 year old was a part of Celta's squad, but has not played often, playing cup games and a handful of substitute appearances in the league. Therefore Makélélé has decided it would be best if he dropped down a division in order to get some first team football.
http://static.deia.com/images/2015/01/06/susaeta_6066_1.jpg
The Celta youth product (right) has started two cup games and appeared as a substitute five times in the league this season.
Malaga 2 - 2 Celta
Sergio - Mallo (Gomez '78) Cabral Mammana Jonny (Planas '78) - Wass Fernandez (c) - Sarabia Hernandez Drazic (Radoja '56) - Aspas
Goals: Wass ('13), Cabral ('35), Torres ('47), Duda ('83)
MoM: Duda
A disappointing collapse for Celta at the start of January, especially when the team so needed a result after the two defeats at the end of December. What made it all the more crushing for Makélélé's side was throwing away a two goal lead, in a game that had looked to promising for Los Celestes. Danish midfielder Wass got his side going with a well taken goal, running onto a well crafted through ball from Pablo Sarabia to give Celta the lead after just a quarter of an hour. Gustavo Cabral added a second ten minutes before half time, his first of the season, smashing the ball home from close range after Aspas nodded the ball down for him after a free kick. The Galicians looked set to be cruising to victory, until Malaga centre back Miguel Torres rose above his marker to steer the ball into the net with his head from a corner just minutes after the start of the second half. Despite Makélélé's attempts to shore up his defence, bringing on two replacement full backs, as well as the defensively minded Radoja, there was nothing he could do to prevent Malaga captain Duda's sensational late equaliser. The veteran Brazilian received a pass from Tissone on the edge of the box and unleashed a spectacular long range strike that nestled in the back of the net. Despite their best efforts, Celta could not find that crucial third goal and the game finished with both teams sharing the spoils.
Copa del Rey 5th Round 1st Leg
Rayo 2 - 2 Celta
Blanco - Jonny Cabral (c) Mammana Planas - Radoja Madinda - Wass Señe (Hernandez '63) Drazic (Bongonda '63) - Guidetti
Goals: Guidetti (pen '14, '87), Miku ('21), Bangoura ('60)
MoM: John Guidetti
Another first leg cup performance that will be viewed by many in the Celta camp as a disappointment. Despite coming away with a draw, Celta were definitely the poorer team at Vallecas, having considerably less possession and attempts at goal than their opponents. The game started well for Celta, with John Guidetti showing good composure to score from the penalty spot after Rayo's Diego Llorente tripped Dejan Drazic in the box. However just seven minutes later, the team from Madrid responded through striker Miku, who scored a terrific volley after sprinting ahead of his marker to meet a cross from Tito and bring the scores level. Rayo then took the lead shortly after the beginning of the second half, with Guinean winger Lass Bangoura doing very well to score from an especially tight angle after gliding past Carles Planas. With only three minutes to go, Rayo's fans were confident that they would win the first leg, however Guidetti had other ideas. Planas atoned for his defensive lapse earlier in the game by making a fantastic interception on the left flank, before playing a lovely ball forward for the Swedish striker to run onto. One on one with the 'keeper, Guidetti swerved to the left and curled the ball beautifully past Toño to bring the scores level and take two important away goals back to Balaidos.
Liga BBVA
Celta 2 - 2 Atletico
Sergio - Mallo Cabral Mammana Planas - Madinda Fernandez (c) - Wass Aspas (Hernandez ('63) Sarabia - Guidetti
Goals: Griezmann ('24), Guidetti ('26, '41), Gabi (pen '33)
MoM: John Guidetti
Another 2-2 draw in the league for Celta, nonetheless this one definitely has some merit, considering the strength of the opposition. Despite their recent successes in the league, Atletico have been struggling this season, and are well out of the title race. Having sacked Diego Simeone, the man who led them to a league title and Champions League final in 2014, in November, and replaced him with Marcelo Bielsa, los Colchoneros have still struggled. They seemed to be doing well when French international Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring with a well timed header from a corner that hit the bar before going in, only for Guidetti, who has quickly established himself as Celta's first choice striker, the level the scores just two minutes later after an Augusto Fernandez header was parried by Jan Oblak. Once again, Atletico took the lead, this time through a penalty taken by Gabi after Hugo Mallo upended Oliver Torres in the box, only for Guidetti to strike again, this time scoring a wonderful diving header from Mallo's cross. No doubt the Atletico fans will be frustrated at their inability to hold onto a lead, whereas their Galician counterparts will be pleased at their teams determination and character to salvage a point.
Copa del Rey 5th Round 2nd Leg
Celta 1 - 1 Rayo
Blanco - Mammana Cabral (c) (Goldar '75) Gomez Planas - Radoja Madinda (Cheikh '90) - Wass Señe Drazic (Bongonda '61) - Aspas
Goals: Señe ('31), Guerra ('47)
MoM: Levy Madinda
Not the best of games for Los Celestes, but one which secured their place in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey. The best part of the game was undoubtedly youth prospect Josep Señe getting on the scoreboard, his first goal for Celta. The young midfielder received a pass from Madinda, on the edge of the box, then turned and instinctively shot at goal, with the ball flying under Rayo's 'keeper Juan Carlos to give Celta the advantage. Rayo eventually managed to breach Celta's defence, having failed to even get into the final third, although more through their own failings rather than Celta's defensive prowess. Striker Javi Guerra had the ball put on a plate for him by on loan winger Pablo Hernandez. The former Swansea City player surged into the box, drawing defenders with him, before playing a simple pass to the striker who only had to pass the ball into the net. The rest of the game continued with neither side able to really threaten each other's goal, and as the final whistle blew Celta's players looked relieved to have gotten through. The next cup game will be a much sterner test, two quarter final legs against wealthy powerhouse Real Madrid.
Liga BBVA
Celta 3 - 0 Levante
Sergio - Mallo Cabral Gomez Planas (Jonny '62) - Wass Fernandez (c) - Drazic (Radoja '80) Aspas Sarabia (Bongonda '80) - Guidetti
Goals: Guidetti ('43, '57), Aspas ('83)
MoM: John Guidetti
Celta finally recorded a long overdue first win of the month against Levante, a team doing relatively well in the league. John Guidetti was once again the star of the show, scoring the game's first goal with an acrobatic volley from a cross from Planas. The former Manchester City striker followed this up with another goal some fourteen minutes later, meeting another cross, this time for Daniel Wass, again on the valley to crack off a cannon of a shot that dinked off the inside of the left post and rolled in. Guidetti looked absolutely delighted with his second goal of the game, and ran over to the Celta dugout to give Makélélé, the manager that has shown so much faith in his abilities, a high five and to wave to the fans that chanted his name. Celta's forwards weren't finished scoring however, with local hero Iago Aspas getting his tenth goal of the season after receiving a scything through ball from Wass and curling it round the Levante goalkeeper to give Celta all three points.
In Other News
Defensive minded midfielder Borja Fernandez has joined Liga Adelante team Mirandes on loan. The 20 year old was a part of Celta's squad, but has not played often, playing cup games and a handful of substitute appearances in the league. Therefore Makélélé has decided it would be best if he dropped down a division in order to get some first team football.
http://static.deia.com/images/2015/01/06/susaeta_6066_1.jpg
The Celta youth product (right) has started two cup games and appeared as a substitute five times in the league this season.