Celta-Betis

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Celta Vigo manager Luis Enrique admitted his frustrations at ruined preparations ahead of facing Real Betis on Friday night, having planned for a team managed by Garrido, only for the Andaluz club to install their third manager of the season, Calderón.

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s clash with Real Betis at Balaídos, Celta Vigo manager Luis Enrique underlined the importance of the game for both teams, as they chase a crucial three points to strengthen fortunes in the battle to avoid relegation.

“I don’t see any difference between what Celta Vigo and Real Betis are playing for on Friday. I think we’re playing for the same thing, which is to maintain our chances of playing in the Primera next season. For us this is a key game, it’s crucial, just as the other games we’ve played at home, have been.”

Enrique also bemoaned that with Betis having changed their manager over the last week, his plans against them are now useless, as it’s unknown quite what his team will face, with Calderón having arrived.

“It’s hard to say if Betis are going to benefit or not from their change of manager, but I’m not best pleased that they’ve changed manager, just a week before playing us, because all that we’d studied about their team with Garrido, all goes out of the window.”

Reiterating the unknown aspect of Friday’s game, Enrique found it hard to suggest whether Betis having their third manager of the campaign, will help them or not.

“A new person has arrived, with new methods and they’ll be different, for sure. In that sense, the information we’ve built up, is wasted. Their results in ten of fifteen games will decide if their change has been a success or not. He’s the third manager they’ve had this season and that would suggest that they’re not doing things very well.”

The Celta Vigo manager was however convinced that Betis have a good enough squad to avoid relegation, pointing out once more, that it will be important his team can beat them on Friday night, as well as score plenty of goals.

“They have players and ability to win six or seven games running. Now goal-average is also starting to come into play and at the end of the season, it could be really important, but there’s still practically all of the second half of the season to go and it can’t be known yet, as to what extent this game is decisive.”

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Re: Celta-Betis

Real Betis could blame calamitous defending, starting well, but falling apart at the back, as Celta Vigo exploited and punished all the errors of the visitors, to claim a priceless three points.

Celta Vigo started off with good possession, rolling the ball around comfortably and looking to maintain control, in the early momentsof the game. Early work for Real Betis to do, as they worked to get the ball from their opponents, whilst not taking any chances at the back, clearing forward as quickly as possible.

Despite the early control from Celta however, it was Betis who started to look the more dangerous side going forward. Salva Sevilla wanted a penalty after contact in the area in the 15th minute, but nothing was given. A moment later though, the visitors had the lead. A good move down the right flank with Juanfran on the overlap with the cross, Rubén Castro striking on the far-post.

A promising start to the reign of Calderón and Betis continued to make life difficult for Celta. In the 20th minute, Rubén Castro was again showing his predatory instincts, drilling a low shot on target, but this time denied by Yoel. In the 21st minute, despite the Betis pressure, Celta were back on level terms. Rafinha with a neat ball into the box from the corner of the area, Orellana losing his marker to head in the equaliser.

Both sides battled for possession for the following several minutes, with the rain not helping the passing precision of either side. Baptistao came close with a speculative effort on-target in the 29th minute, but Yoel managed to prevent the ball creeping past his outstretched hand. Play swung the opposite direction and with terrible marking from the Betis defence, Mallo provided the assist for Charles to head Celta in the lead.

Buoyed by pushing themselves ahead, Celta sought more goals, even at the risk of some occasionally dangerous Betis counters. Krohn-Dehli came close in the 37th minute from the edge of the area for the home side. Then Charles saw a good effort saved by Sara, but eventually the pressure told and Celta claimed their third goal of the night 38th minute, with more than a little calamitous assistance from the Betis defence. Juanfran and Paulao amidst the confusion, the ball broke free and there was Orellana to punish them with the simplest of finishes.

Amaya particularly was having a nightmare at the back for Betis and in the 43rd minute, it wasn’t any better for him going forward, as he saw an effort on goal following a set-piece, deflected away by a Celta defender. What started as a promising night for the visitors, ended after the first forty-five minutes looking as dismal as ever.

A change at the back for Betis as they took to the field for the second half, with Jordi Figueras replacing Paulao, who had taken a knock in the first half. Clearly there had been fighting talk from Calderón in their locker room at the interval, as Betis pushed higher upfield as play resumed, looking to get themselves back into the game.

Sustained pressure from the visitors kept Celta pegged back. Rubén Castro fired just wide in the 52nd minute, following a good move down the left, before Salva Sevilla fired off-target in the 53rd minute. Betis were looking much stronger now, but come the hour mark, they still hadn’t managed to pull back another goal.

The next chance and almost the fourth Celta goal, fell to the feet of Álex López in the 61st minute, but after receiving a good ball from Orellana, he couldn’t hit the target. The home side were starting to take control of proceedings now more, pushing Betis back into retreat.

After the first Celta change with Nolito coming on for Álex López, the little Andaluz winger was immediately involved in the 68th minute, firing from the tightest of angles after determined work, but denied by Sara. More changes followed as Betis made a double change, a last throw of the dice from Calderón, with Cedrick and Molina on for Nono and Baptistao in the 69th minute.

Celta were still the more dangerous going forward and their good spell of pressure eventually brought its reward, as Nolito scored with his second opportunity, five minutes after having entered the action in the 73rd minute. He was completely free to receive the assist from Charles, with the Betis defence open once more, like a gaping wound.

In the 75th minute, comfortably on top and in control of the game, Celta made their second change of the night, as Madinda replaced Krohn-Dehli. A little complacency for the home side was punished in the 78th minute, as Yoel couldn’t clear a dangerous ball into the area well enough, with Rubén Castro firing home.

That was just the boost to morale that Betis needed and into the final ten minutes, Betis threw everything forward, laying siege to the Celta area. Verdú fired wide from a free-kick in the 83rd minute. Yoel denied Rubén Castro, as he tried to latch onto a long ball forward in the 84th minute. Another chance in the 86th minute, as Salva Sevilla fired a ball into the area, with Celta defenders and Betis forwards unable to make contact, as it whizzed just wide.

Further misery for Betis into injury time, with Cedrick shown a straight red card in the 91st minute, after a clumsy challenge on Rafinha with studs showing and the referee with no alternative but to dismiss the midfielder. After that and to waste valuable final moments, Celta made their final change, as veteran striker Bermejo took to the field for Charles, but before he could touch the ball, the final whistle was blown.

More home joy for the Celta fans to enjoy and three valuable points that give their team a handy cushion of points, above the relegation zone. As for Betis meanwhile, a third manager, but still the same old problems. Woeful defending but if there was one positive note, it was Rubén Castro back to his scoring best. They will certainly need that on the road ahead, if they’re to stand any chance of surviving, but as the weeks pass, that’s looking ever more unlikely.



Celta Vigo 4-2 Real Betis

Referee: Hernández Hernández



Celta Vigo XI: Yoel; H.Mallo, D.Costas, Fontàs, Jonny; Oubiña, Álex López (67′), Krohn-Dehli (75′); Rafinha, Orellana, Charles (92′).

Goals: Orellana (22′, 39′), Charles (31′), Nolito (73′)

Subs: Nolito (67′), Madinda (75′), Bermejo (92′)

Yellow Cards: Krohn-Dehli (59′), Álex López (64′), Orellana (



Real Betis XI: Sara; Juanfran, Amaya, Paulao (46′), Nacho; Nono (69′), Lolo Reyes; Baptistao (69′), Verdú, Salva Sevilla; Rubén Castro.

Goals: Rubén Castro (17′, 78′)

Subs: Figueras (46′), Cedrick (69′), Molina (69′)

Yellow Cards: Salva Sevilla (32′), Nono (63′), Rubén Castro (80′), Cedrick (91′ red)