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Celta Vigo logo
La Liga
Apr 22, 2013 at 9pm UK
 

2-1

López (36'), Bermejo (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Sapunaru (26')

Live Commentary: Celta Vigo 2-1 Real Zaragoza - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live commentary of the La Liga clash at the Estadio de Balaidos as Celta Vigo record a 2-1 win over Real Zaragoza.
2

It was bottom against 19th as Celta Vigo welcomed Real Zaragoza to the Estadio de Balaidos on Monday.

Cristian Sapunaru headed Zaragoza into the lead after 26 minutes, but the home side were level five minutes before the break courtesy of Alex Lopez.

Both sides had chances in the second period, but it was the home side that won it late on through Mario Bermejo.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.


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Evening all! Week 32 in La Liga is completed as Celta Vigo welcome Real Zaragoza. The top of the table may be fairly straightforward in the latter part of the season, but that is simply not the case at the bottom. Three points for Celta this evening would move them level with Zaragoza, but an away win would move Zaragoza out of the bottom three.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches with the other ending in a draw. However, the pair have not met at this stadium since December 2008, when Celta were 2-0 winners in the Segunda Division clash. You have to go back to November 2006 for the last La Liga meeting in this stadium, a 1-1 draw.

As mentioned, Celta currently sit bottom of the table on 24 points. They have lost five of their last six matches in the league, taking just one point from that period. The 1-0 defeat to Real Mallorca last weekend would have really hurt them, but it is imperative that they return to form this evening.

As it stands, the home side are five points from safety, albeit with a game in hand. They have been fairly solid on their own patch this season with five wins, five draws and five defeats from their 15 matches. That is in contrast to their away form, which is the worst in the league having won just one of their 16 on the road.

TEAMS:

CELTA VIGO: Varas; Insa, Tunez, Lago, Johny; Oubina, Fernandez, Lopez; Vila, Bermejo, Krohn-Dehli

ZARAGOZA: Jimenez; Paredes, Sapunaru, Loovens, Abraham; Movila, Pinter, Apono, Montanes; Postiga, Rochina


So there we have it. Celta boss Abel Resino names an attacking side this evening with Michael Krohn-Dehli, Mario Bermejo and Alex Lopez selected in a three-pronged attack. There are also spots for Jonathan Vila and Borja Oubina. Meanwhile, Zaragoza recall Rubin Rochina alongside Helder Postiga in attack. Two attacking teams on display this evening.

A torrid run of form has also dropped Zaragoza into the relegation positions. However, they are just two points from safety with a game in hand and would move out of the drop zone with all three points this evening. Should they indeed secure the win then Granada would drop into the relegation zone alongside Mallorca and Celta.

Surprisingly, Zaragoza’s away form has been quite strong for a team that has had such a poor season. They have won four of their 16 matches on the road, which is three more than their opponents this evening. However, they have struggled on their own patch with just three wins from 15 matches, comfortably the worst record in the league.

Taking a look at the numbers, it is not difficult to see where both teams have struggled this season. Celta’s defence has been quite impressive with just 46 goals conceded, while Zaragoza have conceded 49 times. It is down the other end that both have suffered with Celta scoring just 29 goals in 31 matches, while Zaragoza have scored just 28.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, just about time for my pre-match prediction. Both sides enter the game in a torrid run of form, therefore I am going to sit on the fence and say a score draw.

Just a reminder of the main team news this evening. Attacking Celta side named by Adel Resino with Bermejo, Krohn-Dehli and Alex Lopez all selected, but Iago Aspas is still out. Zaragoza, meanwhile, recall on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker Ruben Rochina. Right, the home side get the action underway in Vigo.

Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a good atmosphere. Bright start from Celta as Lopez collects possession on the left before delivering a cross towards Bermejo, but the danger is cleared by Pinter. The importance of this match cannot be underestimated.

Controversial moment here as Sapunaru is booked for a foul on Alex Lopez just outside the penalty area. In truth, there was not a great deal in it. The resulting free kick, which is just outside the box, is taken by Lopez, but his effort was just high of the crossbar.

You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match could be all-important. Both sides are really struggling for confidence, but a goal would change the atmosphere entirely. Although a defeat for Celta would not mathematically send them down, it is difficult to see them recovering from another loss at this stage of the season. No real chances thus far with six minutes on the clock.

Half-chance for the away side this time as Rochina whips a dangerous cross into the box, but it just moves high of the crossbar. The Spanish striker is involved moments later as he slides a pass towards Postiga, but Tunez is out to clear at the vital moment. End-to-end football between these two relegation rivals.

Neither side is really demonstrating too much quality in possession of the ball in the early stages, but it has been an open 10 minutes of football. Half-chance for the home side as Vila combines with Lopez before curling a cross into the box, but Jimenez comes through traffic to claim the danger.

Good pressure from Zaragoza in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession. But the first is palmed over by Varas before the referee stops play for a free kick on the latter. You can almost sense the nervousness around the stadium at the moment as another Celta attack breaks down. Zaragoza have been good on the road this season - in fact they have the best away record in the bottom 12 teams.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. However, the official has been sensitive to just how important this game is. Another half-chance for the away side as Pinter strikes one from distance, but Varas makes the save.

Zaragoza continue to put the pressure on as they force a free kick just outside the penalty area. The set piece is taken by Apono, but his effort is straight into the wall. Celta attempt to break with Insa, but the Spaniard is immediately surrounded by two defenders. Still no real chances with 16 minutes on the clock in Vigo.

It is a game of free kicks at the moment as Krohn-Dehli delivers a dangerous cross into the Zaragoza box, but Jimenez comes through a host of traffic to make the clearance. The pressure remains as Celta pass and probe around the edge of the box, but once more it breaks down. It is easy to see why both of these sides have struggled to score goals this season.

Again it's good work from Krohn-Dehli as the Dane delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Paredes makes the clearance. It falls for Lopez in the box, but Jimenez is on hand to make a fine save. You just have to take those chances at this level of football. The match is just starting to open up in terms of chances.

Really scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball. A half-chance does arrive for the home side as Insa delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Lopez just could not make proper contact under pressure from Loovens.

Good spell for Celta as they continue to force the issue with a number of balls into the Zaragoza defence, but despite their league position, Zaragoza have been impress defensively for a large part of this season. There have been a couple of half-chances, but neither side has had a golden opportunity to open the scoring thus far.

Lopez is again the architect for Celta as he collects possession before driving down the right, but Sapunaru is across to make a fine challenge. The centre-back just needs to be careful having picked up that booking in the early stages. Rochina tries his luck down the other end, but his effort is wide of the post.

GOAL! Celta 0-1 Zaragoza (Sapunaru)

First blood to the away side! It's a stunning ball from Apono as the midfielder delivers a dangerous free kick into the box. Sapunaru is first on the scene as he meets the cross before thumping his header into the back of the net. What a time to open the scoring.

Neither side had really been in control of the opening 27 minutes, but Zaragoza certainly looked the more dangerous in the final third. Another free kick is floated into the box moments later, but this time the danger is cleared. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

Zaragoza have just taken the sting out of the match in the last couple of moments with a period of possession in their own half. You just get the feeling that the next goal could be vital in terms of the final result. It is difficult to see Celta coming back from 2-0 in this type of match. The opening 32 minutes has just flown past.

Plenty of nervous faces among the home supporters this evening. As mentioned, a defeat would not relegate them, but it would leave them with such a big task. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with the referee once more forced to deal with a number of late challenges.

Half-chance for the home side this time as Lopez strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always rising over the crossbar. Zaragoza continue to threaten with the pace of Rochina, but the Spaniard has been too detached from Postiga in the last five minutes or so.

Good possession from the home side in the last couple of moments with the likes of Insa and Lopez seeing plenty of the ball, but they have been unable to get Bermejo and Krohn-Dehli into the game where it matters. I suspect that we could see Park at some point in the second period. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.

GOAL! Celta 1-1 Zaragoza (Lopez)

Celta level! It's wonderful work from Fernandez as the Argentine delivers a dangerous cross into the box, with Lopez on hand to fire his header into the back of the net. No sign for celebration, however, as the Spaniard urges his teammates to focus.

Such a high tempo to the match at the moment with both sides prepared to commit numbers to each attack. Again Lopez is involved for the home side as he delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Fernandez, before Loovens heads clear moments later.

Red-hot atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters urging their team on. I could not speculate as to what song is being sung, but it is certainly loud. Lopez tries his luck from distance moments later, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.

Celta continue to deliver dangerous balls into the Zaragoza penalty area, but Loovens and Paedes have remained strong in the last couple of moments. Postiga attempts to fashion a chance down the other end as he combines with Rochina, but Varas is out to collect at the vital moment.

Not too much to report in the final moments of the first period with both sides seemingly preparing to enter the break on terms. It is so delicately poised between these two relegation rivals. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.

HALF-TIME: Celta 1-1 Zaragoza

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. In truth, not a lot happened in the opening 25 minutes, with neither team offering too much in the final third. It was the away side that took the lead after 26 minutes through Sapunaru, but Alex Lopez levelled 10 minutes later.

STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had five attempts to Zaragoza's two. However, both teams have managed two shots on target. A 1-1 draw at this stage of the match is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen thus far.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Park, Kike de Lucas and Orellana. Meanwhile, Zaragoza have the likes of Franco, Victor Rodriguez and Edu Oriol in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of the match. As it stands, Celta would remain bottom with 25 points, while Zaragoza would be level on points with 18th-placed Mallorca. Right, the home side get the half underway.

Just a bit of news from outside Spain. Manchester United have won their 20th league title following a 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Be sure to stick around the site for all the reaction. Right, back to this match. Bright start to the half from Zaragoza as Apono delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Montanes can only head over the crossbar.

Zaragoza continue to force the issue with a number of corners into the box, but Celta manage to clear the danger. A half-chance arrives for the home side on the counter as Bermejo meets a cross from Insa, but the Spaniard can only flash his header wide of the post. Really bright opening five minutes to the second period.

Again it's good work from Bermejo as the Spaniard takes control of a high ball before finding Lopez on the edge of the box, the midfielder curls one towards the bottom corner, but it just moved wide of the post. Neither side has really settled in the second period. It is just so frantic.

Another half-chance for the home side as Lopez finds Fernandez in the box, the Argentine has an effort from close range, but it is deflected behind for a corner. The resulting set piece brings a glorious chance for Vila, but somehow the Spaniard heads wide from close range.

It is like a battlefield out there at the moment as the two teams battle for possession in the middle of the park. Eventually Rochina does settle on the ball before finding the run of Postiga, but the Portuguese just cannot sort out his feet in time. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining, with the two sides level at 1-1.

A half-chance does arrive for Postiga this time as the Portuguese latches onto a loose ball in the box before curling an effort towards the top corner, but Varas is across to make a fine save. The resulting set piece is delivered by Apono, but his delivery fails to beat the first man.

The end-to-end period of the match continues as Oubina darts into the Zaragoza box before floating a cross towards Bermejo, but it just would not fall for the Spanish striker. You just get the feeling that one more goal would be enough to win it. It appears that both teams are preparing to make some changes.

Another half-chance for the away side as Rochina meets a free kick from Apono, but the Spaniard can only head wide of the post. Meanwhile, the home side make their first change of the match as Orellana replaces Lopez. Zaragoza also make a change with Rochina replaced by Victor.

Just a few signs that Zaragoza have started to take control of the second period as they continue to force free kicks around the penalty area. The latest allows Apono to deliver a cross into the Celta box, but it was always moving past the far post. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Vigo.

Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. You can almost sense the nervousness around the stadium at the moment. A point would leave Celta bottom, but a point for Zaragoza would move them to within one point of safety. It is so close at the bottom of the table.

It's smart work from Fernandez once more as the Argentine drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Loovens is once more on hand to clear the danger. Victor attempts to find Postiga down the other end moments later, but the striker never had the pace to worry the Celta back four. Will we have late drama here?

Zaragoza make their second change of the match as Movilla is replaced by Babovic for the final 20 minutes or so. The latter will provide some more energy in the middle of the park. Another half-chance for the home side as Bermejo finds some room outside the box, but Paredes is across to clear at the final moment.

The home supporters have really found their voices in the last five minutes or so, and there team is indeed responding. Fernandez continues to cause problems with his deliveries into the box, but Loovens and Sapunaru have both been aerially dominant this evening. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.

First real opportunity for Orellana as the forward collects a pass from Krohn-Dehli before striking towards goal, but it was always moving wide of the post. Meanwhile, the underlying ill-feeling continues to rise to the surface as the free-kick count rises. Still 1-1 in Vigo.

CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the away side as Babovic meets a free kick from Pinter, but he can only turn his header wide of the post. A similar cross arrives moments later, but Varas is on hand to make the clearance, taking out two of his defenders in the process.

Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes with both sides just struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Meanwhile, Celta make their second change of the match as Park replaces Jonny. Can the on-loan Arsenal forward make an impact in the final 10 minutes or so?

Good pressure from the home side as they continue to force crosses into the box, but Zaragoza live to fight another day. A half-chance arrives moments later as a bouncing ball falls kindly for Pinter outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

Another opportunity arrives for Celta as Krohn-Dehli floats a cross into the box, but Jimenez is out to collect under pressure from Insa. He has been really impressive this evening it must be said. You just get the feeling that there will be one last big chance in this match.

Celta make their third and final change of the match as Krohn-Dehli is replaced by De Lucas. It has been another disappointing night for the Dane. The home side have played all their cards with Park and De Lucas joining Bermejo in attack. It is all or nothing in the latter stages of this match.

Change for Zaragoza as Rodri replaces Montanes. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with each defence just closing up. It would certainly be a better point for Zaragoza than it would be for Celta. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional five minutes.

Half-chance for the away side as Apono curls a free kick from outside the box, but it just moves wide of the post. Bermejo has a an opportunity down the other end moments later as he meets a corner from Insa, but he can only head over the crossbar. Little over two minutes remaining.

GOAL! Celta 2-1 Zaragoza (Bermejo)

Oh my word! Incredible moment as Park delivers a low cross into the box, with Bermejo on hand to turn home from close range. The entire stadium has just erupted. What a time to score. But can they hold on?

All hands to the pump for the home side as they form a line along the edge of their own box. The pressure continues from Zaragoza as Postiga strikes one from distance, but it is high and wide of the crossbar. Surely not long remaining.

FULL-TIME: Celta 2-1 Zaragoza

So there we have it. Incredible finish to the match as Celta record a 2-1 win over Zaragoza. The result moves the home side to within two points of safety, while Zaragoza drop to the bottom of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!

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