Match Report: Girona and Celta Vigo Split Points at Montilivi
In a La Liga Santander clash at Montilivi, Celta Vigo returned to scoring form with a first-half strike by Iago Aspas, opening the scoring against Girona on a Friday evening. The goal sparked the game as both teams searched for momentum, even as defenses held firm through much of the initial period.
Eduardo Coudet’s side hauled themselves back into the race by earning a point, a result that helps La Celeste distance the bottom of the table and claw closer to the upper mid-table pack. Girona, still seeking consistency after a hopeful win against Getafe, faced a tougher test as the match wore on and tried to assert control from midfield.
Míchel Sánchez altered Girona’s setup, replacing 5-2-1-2 with a 4-4-2 in an effort to push higher up the pitch. The absence of Rodrigo Riquelme left a gap in midfield linking play between the midfield and the forwards, Taty Castellanos and Cristhian Stuani. The tactical shift aimed to create more texture in Girona’s pressing and transitions, but the team struggled to find a steady rhythm in the build-up and final third.
Carles Pérez briefly tested the Celta defense with an early scorpion shot, a moment that illustrated the visitors’ vulnerability to sudden bursts of creativity. The sequence became a microcosm of the match: both sides pressed and probed, yet concrete chances remained scarce as the first half meandered toward a cautious end.
Despite Girona’s initiative, Celta showed sharpness on the break. Aspas, the focal point for the visitors, delivered a decisive moment by slipping past Juanpe and firing a diagonal shot from the left that slid past Juan Carlos and into the net. The visitors took a half-time advantage into the dressing rooms, while Girona regrouped with intent to reverse the deficit after the break.
Juan Carlos made a crucial save to deny Óscar from closing the gap and keep Girona in contention. The home side returned from the interval with renewed purpose, pressing higher and attempting to pin Celta back. Míchel continued to modify the lineup from the sidelines, bringing on Samu Sáiz and Reinier Jesus as changes to reinvigorate the attack and add fresh energy in midfield and forward lines.
Girona’s pursuit of an equalizer intensified as the match progressed. A rising ball into the box was met by a firm header, and the Giallorossa-style buildup produced glimpses of momentum that threatened to tilt the balance. Yet Celta’s defense held firm and appeared capable of stifling the late charges when needed. As the clock ticked, Girona chased the horizon with set-piece plays and rapid transitions, seeking a breakthrough that would unlock the defense, but the final balls often fell short of precision.
In the closing stages, both sides tested the other with intent, and the contest became a narrative of perseverance rather than fireworks. The match ended with a single goal separating the teams, a result that reflected a tightly contested battle in front of 11,329 spectators at Montilivi. The outcome left Girona still searching for reliability at home, while Celta Vigo added a valuable point to their tally on the road.
Data sheet: 0 – Girona: Juan Carlos; Yan Couto, Santi Bueno, Juanpe, Gutierrez (Javi Hernández, min. 81); Herrera (Ramon Terrats, min. 10, Samu Sáiz, min. 59), David López, Aleix García, Ureña (Reinier, min. 59); Taty Castellanos (Joel Roca, min. 81) and Stuani. 1 – Celtic: starter; Hugo Mallo, Aidoo, Nunez, Javi Galan; Tapia (Gabri Veiga, min. 70); Óscar (Gonçalo Paciencia, min. 77), Fran Beltrán, Cervi (Carlos Domínguez, min. 94+); Iago Aspas and Carles Pérez (Solari, min. 70). Aim: 0-1, min. 49: Iago Aspas. Judge: From Cerro Grande (Madrid school). He warned locals David López (at least 43) and Juanpe (at least 45) and visitor Tapia (at least 68). Events: The third day match of La Liga Santander was played at Montilivi Municipal Stadium in front of 11,329 fans.
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