The RC Celta’s league debut against Atlético de Madrid was characterized by equality and a demanding intensity from start to finish. The Celts performed at a good level pushed from the stands by the fans, limited in number due to the sanitary measures, but unconditionally devoted to their team despite the result.
Correa put Atlético ahead midway through the first half, a blow that did not stop the sky blues in their insistence to control the match and score. It was not easy for Simeone’s Atlético, always intense and demanding, but in the end the equalizer came. A handball by the red and white team inside their area led to the penalty with which Iago Aspas put the equalizer on the scoreboard. It was the fifty-eighth minute.
Atlético, in a display of effectiveness, did not take long to regain the lead. Barely five minutes later, Correa scored his second goal which, in the end, would mean the victory for the Madrid players. The sky blue players were on fire until the final whistle, as were the sky blue fans, and managed to generate several scoring chances. The clearest one came from Iago Aspas who, to everyone’s astonishment, missed by centimeters in an empty goal.
Very good feelings, despite the defeat, against the reigning LaLiga champions. The celtismo bid farewell to their team with a resounding ovation.
GAME SHEET
1 – RC CELTA: Dituro, Hugo Mallo, Araújo, Fontán, Javi Galán, Tapia, Brais Méndez, Denis Suárez, Nolito (Cervi, min.62), Iago Aspas, Santi Mina.
2 – ATLÉTICO: Oblak, Carrasco, Savic, Giménez, Hermoso, Saúl, Kondogbia, Koke, Lemar, Correa, Llorente.
Goals: Correa (0-1, min.22), Iago Aspas (1-1, min.58, penalty), Correa (1-2, min.63).
Referee: Munuera Montero, from the Andalusian committee. Yellow cards for Denis Suárez, Iago Aspas (RC Celta); Lemar, Llorente, Kondogbia, Giménez (Atlético). Hugo Mallo (RC Celta) and Hermoso (Atlético) were sent off with straight red cards.
Field: Abanca Balaídos (8,000 spectators).
Observations: reduced capacity due to health and safety restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the match, RC Celta and its fans dedicated a tribute to three of the Olympians and self-confessed celtistas who returned with a medal from the Tokyo Olympic Games (Teresa Portela, Ana Peleteiro and Nico Rodríguez). The club extends this tribute to the Olympians who could not attend the event due to scheduling issues.
