Celta – PAOK: summary, result and goals

Celta exhibits solidity against a PAOK without fangs

The celestial punch made the difference in a duel of excessive respect between both teams, with Celta very afraid of making a mistake so as not to lose their ticket to the last 16 of the Europa League nine years later and with his rival thinking only of reaching the final stretch of the match alive.

Giráldez’s team lacked rhythm and more speed in the circulation of the ball. It was very predictable throughout the first half and that favored PAOK, well organized with the lines very close together to prevent their rival from running.

In the first 45 minutes, Celta only threatened to a shot by Uruguayan Matías Vecinowho went very off course, to an opponent with little offensive prospects.

The Romanian’s plan Razvan Lucescu It was clear. Make it to the last few minutes alive. His team defended firmly and scared Balaídos in two set pieces by Michailidis and, above all, by Giakoumakis after a bad start by Romanian goalkeeper Radu.

On the edge of half-time, the midfielder Ilaix Moriba saw the yellow card and that caused him to stay in the locker room at halftime.

replaced it Miguel Romanwhich had already shone in Thessaloniki. And the youth player only needed four minutes to show his quality. With a spectacular change of orientation he launched the counterattack of Javi Ruedawhich connected at the edge of the area with Borja Iglesiaswhom Tsiftsis deprived of the goal with a great handball.

That action woke up Celta, who were much more encouraged to attack. And it didn’t take him long to open the can, again in another play in which Román and Borja Iglesias intervened, sensationally completed by the Swede Williot Swedberg in the 63rd minute.

Both starters refreshed their lineups. PAOK had no other option but to advance its lines, take risks, but even then it did not put the celestial classification in danger. Celta will know this Friday if they face the Aston Villa of Unai Emery or at Lyonthird classified in the French Ligue.