Celta 2-1 Alaves: Javi Rodriguez Stars As Celta Edge Alaves At Balaidos
Celta Alaves 2-1 report: Celta claimed a hard fought three points on Sunday October 18 and secured a 2-1 home win against Alaves at Balaidos in Vigo in LaLiga Matchday 9. The match was level at 0-0 at half time, and the goals all came in the second half. Javi Rodriguez was involved in both Celta goals, with one assist and one goal.
The win lifted Celta to eighth in the table, level on 11 points with Alaves. Alaves are seventh, and Celta are eighth. The result was the second league win of the season for Celta and the second win in all competitions. Celta are now unbeaten in the last five league games, with two wins and three draws. Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero oversaw the contest at Balaidos. Kick-off was at 16:15 CEST.
Celta Alaves 2-1: What Happened
The first half ended 0-0, and both teams had chances to break the deadlock. Celta and Alaves were level at the break, and the match was open. The second half brought the goals, and Celta struck first.
Ferran Jutgla scored in the 53rd minute, with Javi Rodriguez providing the assist. Jutgla finished with his left foot, and the goal gave Celta a 1-0 lead. Celta doubled the lead in the 71st minute. Javi Rodriguez scored, with Iago Aspas providing the assist. The goal made the score 2-0 and put Celta in control. Rodriguez had assisted the first goal and now scored the second.
Alaves responded late. Hugo Novoa scored in the 87th minute, with Mariano Diaz providing the assist. The goal made the score 2-1 and set up a tense final few minutes. Alaves pushed for an equaliser, but Celta held on. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for Celta.
The stats told a story of Alaves pressure and Celta efficiency. Alaves had 52 percent possession, 20 shots, nine shots on target, four corners, and 17 fouls, compared with 48 percent, six shots, three shots on target, zero corners, and 14 fouls for Celta. The expected goals total was 1.05 for Alaves, compared with 0.91 for Celta. Radu made eight saves.
Key Moments
The first key moment was the opening goal in the 53rd minute. Jutgla scored, with Rodriguez providing the assist. Jutgla finished with his left foot. The goal broke the deadlock after a goalless first half. The goal gave Celta the lead and forced Alaves to chase the game.
The second key moment was the second goal in the 71st minute. Rodriguez scored, with Aspas providing the assist. The goal made the score 2-0 and gave Celta a cushion. Rodriguez was involved in both Celta goals, and the goal showed the impact of the player on the match. At 2-0, Celta were in control.
The third key moment was the Alaves goal in the 87th minute. Novoa scored, with Diaz providing the assist. The goal made the score 2-1 and set up a tense finish. Alaves had pushed hard in the second half, and the late goal gave the visitors hope. The final minutes were tense, but Celta held on.
The saves from Radu were also key. Radu made eight saves and kept Celta in front. Alaves had nine shots on target, but Radu kept out eight of them. Sebastian Caceres was booked in the 15th minute, and Toni Martinez was booked in the 45th minute.
Background and Context
Celta arrived at the match after a difficult week in Europe. Celta had lost the opening two Europa League league-phase fixtures. Celta lost 1-0 at Omonia and lost 2-1 at home to Juventus on Thursday. The league win over Alaves was a welcome response after those two defeats. The win was the second win in all competitions for Celta this season.
The league form of Celta has been steady. Celta are unbeaten in the last five league games, with two wins and three draws. Celta have two wins, five draws, and two defeats, with 10 goals scored and seven conceded.
Alaves arrived at Balaidos in a different run of form. Alaves have not won since Matchday 4, when the team beat Osasuna 5-2. In the last five league games, Alaves have one draw and four defeats. Alaves have three wins, two draws, and four defeats in the league, with 13 goals scored and 10 conceded. The recent results for Alaves show the change in form. Alaves lost 1-2 at home to Atletico on October 10. Alaves drew 0-0 at Athletic on September 19. Alaves lost 0-1 at home to Valencia on September 15. Alaves won 5-2 at home against Osasuna on September 6. Alaves won 1-0 at home against Villarreal on August 28. Alaves drew 1-1 at Rayo on August 20.
Celta made five substitutions: Ilaix Moriba for Aleix Febas 45, Javier Rueda for Williot Swedberg 45, Iago Aspas for Couhaib Driouech 70, Hugo Burcio for Andres Antanon 70, and Marcos Alonso for Sebastian Caceres 77. Aspas provided the assist for the second goal. Alaves also made five changes: Hugo Novoa for Jonny Otto 62, Mariano Diaz for Toni Martinez 62, Denis Suarez for Carles Alena 62, Aitor Manas for Abderrahmane Rebbach 88, and Ander Guevara for Antonio Blanco 88. Novoa and Diaz combined for the Alaves goal.
What It Means
The win means a great deal for Celta in the table. Celta moved to eighth with 11 points, level with Alaves. The win lifted Celta into the top half, and the team are now unbeaten in five league games.
The win means a great deal for the Celta defence and goalkeeper. Celta conceded only one goal, even though Alaves had 20 shots and nine shots on target. Radu made eight saves. The performance means a great deal for Rodriguez. Rodriguez assisted the first goal for Jutgla and scored the second goal after an assist from Aspas.
For Alaves, the result means more frustration. Alaves have not won since Matchday 4, and the team have one draw and four defeats in the last five league games. Alaves had more possession, more shots, more shots on target, and more corners, but lost 2-1. Both teams are on 11 points, with Alaves in seventh and Celta in eighth.
What Next
Celta now turn to Europe. The next match is in the Europa League at Celtic, on Thursday October 22, at 20:00 BST, at Celtic Park in Glasgow. The fixture is a chance for Celta to get a first win in the Europa League league phase after defeats at Omonia and at home to Juventus.
Alaves host Malaga next. The fixture gives Alaves a chance to end the winless run. Malaga are bottom of the table, and Alaves will want three points. The challenge for Alaves is to turn dominance into goals.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Celta 2-1 Alaves |
| Competition | LaLiga Matchday 9 |
| Date | Sunday October 18 |
| Stadium | Balaidos, Vigo |
| Kick-off | 16:15 CEST |
| Half time score | Celta 0-0 Alaves |
| Referee | Jose Luis Munuera Montero |
| Goals | Jutgla 53, Rodriguez 71, Novoa 87 |
| Assists | Rodriguez, Aspas, Diaz |
| Possession | Celta 48 percent, Alaves 52 percent |
| Shots | Celta 6, Alaves 20 |
| Shots on target | Celta 3, Alaves 9 |
| Expected goals | Celta 0.91, Alaves 1.05 |
| Goalkeeper saves | Ionut Radu made eight saves for Celta |
| League position | Alaves seventh and Celta eighth, both on 11 points |
| Next for Celta | Europa League at Celtic, Thursday October 22, 20:00 BST, Celtic Park, Glasgow |
| Next for Alaves | Malaga at home |
Conclusion
Celta earned a deserved 2-1 win over Alaves at Balaidos. Jutgla scored in the 53rd minute, with Rodriguez providing the assist. Rodriguez scored in the 71st minute, with Aspas providing the assist. Novoa scored late for Alaves in the 87th minute, with Diaz providing the assist, but Celta held on. Radu made eight saves and played a key role in the win. The win lifted Celta to eighth with 11 points, level with Alaves.
What was the final score between Celta and Alaves?
The final score was Celta 2-1 Alaves. The match was level at 0-0 at half time. Jutgla and Rodriguez scored for Celta. Novoa scored for Alaves.
Who starred for Celta against Alaves?
Rodriguez starred for Celta. Rodriguez assisted the first goal for Jutgla in the 53rd minute and scored the second goal in the 71st minute after an assist from Aspas. Rodriguez was involved in both Celta goals. Radu also played a key role with eight saves.
How many points do Celta and Alaves have now?
Both teams have 11 points. Alaves are seventh with three wins, two draws, and four defeats, with 13 goals scored and 10 conceded. Celta are eighth with two wins, five draws, and two defeats, with 10 goals scored and seven conceded.
What is next for Celta?
Celta travel to Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday October 22, at 20:00 BST, at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Celta lost the opening two Europa League league-phase fixtures, 1-0 at Omonia and 2-1 at home to Juventus. Alaves host Malaga next.
