Celta – Espanyol: Pitcher of cold water (1-0) – La Grada Online

Espanyol, who jumped onto the pitch in the first game of LaLiga Santander 2022-23 with the great novelty of Fernando Calero as defensive midfielder, reached half-time in the duel against Celta, losing by the minimum. With an eleven practically identical to the one put up by Diego Martínez against SCC Napoli, except for the entry of Óscar Gil instead of Omar El Hilali on the right-hand side, the Blue and Whites have shown intense football against the parakeets who have approached to Balaídos to follow the evolution of Diego Martínez’s men. 🫶🏻 In any stands always showing your face!
💙 GRÀCIES, GRÀCIES I GRÀCIES!#CeltaEspanyol pic.twitter.com/lLFlvWAlXL — RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) August 13, 2022 Espanyol began to dominate, with very high pressure and without letting Celta breathe, which did not pass from the center of the field. The Blue and Whites insistently sought Joselu’s position, but without much success, especially on the right wing with a very active Rubén Sánchez. With a very direct and intense game, Espanyol was about to take the lead in the 8th minute with a long shot from Sergi Darder that hit the post. After the clear parakeet occasion, Celta took a step forward and stopped the avalanche of parakeet arrivals, equalizing the contest. The local box began to overcome the median line, but without approaching the goal defended by Lecomte; Espanyol was very well planted behind and did not concede. Due to this, Coudet’s men tried it from afar in the 22nd minute with a shot from Iago Aspas that went high. The Galician team began to string together long but sterile possessions; meanwhile, the Blue and Whites tried to get out quickly, especially down the right wing through a powerful Rubén Sánchez who made great progress but was stopped once he got into the area. Espanyol had a dangerous foul up front, but Brian Oliván’s shot in the 38th minute went up. Lecomte & @viniciusouza99 🤝 @LaLiga #CeltaEspanyol pic.twitter.com/W25pzIfPxq — RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) August 13, 2022 In the last minutes of the first half, Lecomte had to leave his area very safely to clear a long ball that Iago Aspas was chasing. The Galician team tried to finish the first half playing in the opposite field, something they achieved by approaching the parakeet area and achieving, in minute 45, their first favorable corner kick. And so, when the players were practically on their way to the changing rooms, a ball into the area extended by Solari with his head was finished off by Iago Aspas at the bottom of the net. Jar of cold water in a good first part of Espanyol, who has to row against the current.