Of all the teams currently in the relegation zone in top Euro leagues, Celta is probably the best one. They definitely don’t look out of place and they’ve competed well against good teams. For whatever reason, they lose their focus in either moments or brief stretches, and it really, really costs them. It’s like collapse away to Barca late where they had a lead until like the 83rd. They were doing well against Atletico until the red. Then in this game, they were in a position to take the lead late. They’re in a different situation than teams like Sheffield United which can’t even compete. Celta has more than enough talent to stay up comfortably. They just can’t put it together. I’d be surprised if they fail to climb out of the relegation zone. I think they’ll be okay
LDLT started and still out there in the 69th minute of a 0-0 match with a Valencia side I don't much miss following.
Luca starts vs Cadiz. Relegation six-pointer. Presumed 4-4-2 with LDLT at LCM, but that's only my guess.
Great Celta passing sequence, ending with Bamba feeding LDLT making the overlapping run. LDLT drives a pass along the ground that finds Strand Larsen, who tries a hard one touch shot that goes over the top.
Red card to Victor Chust for a takedown just outside the box, perhaps deemed a DOGSO. Lengthy man-up advantage coming.
LDLT-Mingueza 1-2 on the way into the box, but Mingueza doesn't get to receive the return pass because he is knocked down. No PK call, though.
Yellow-ish foul by de la Torre trying to recover from a bad Mingueza pass. Probably should have realized he would be late, but no card.
Bamba and de la Torre working quite nicely together - creating a lot. Cadiz already delaying the game. It's the first half. Keeper gets a yellow for it.
Twenty yard backheel pass by Luca to Manu Sanchez draws oohs and aahs and sets up a cross for Manu, but the defense is first to the ball at the penalty spot.
Double sub and probable formation change - two midfielders on, right back and RCB off. Mingueza was playing midfield, so they still have three defenders out there, but this is likely to look even more aggressive.
Fast results - Good passing sequence including Luca winds up with Manu Sanchez playing a ball right across the face for Strand Larsen to athletically finish from just three yards out with the keeper forced to cover near post. 1-1, and they've got a great chance to go for the win.
This is getting closer and closer to a blown huge opportunity. Cadiz has taken a lot of air out of the ball.
Shots 26-2, goals 1-1. Luca off in the 90th minute. Probably too many loose touches, and lost most of his duels, but some nice passing sequences, particularly with Bamba.
Strand Larsen clock-killing master class is meaning that LDLT (and everyone else) isn't doing anything.
YA Match of the day - Luca de la starting against Rayo Vallecano, after a disappointing last start and a short sub appearance in a cup win.
Looks like LCM in a 4-4-2. One exciting moment where he attacked a ball bouncing in on the keeper, but Dimitrievski beat him to it. Their feet hit one another's pretty hard, but they both seem fine.