Aspas saved Celta against Girona
In San Mamés, Sevilla also had the last laugh in the return leg, with a own goal by Alex Padilla, Athletic’s goalkeeper who had to come in at minute 85 due to Agirrezabala’s expulsion. The Basques bitterly let slip the three points, three points away from the Champions League, and Sevilla found some reward for their confidence in improving their irregular start to the season with García Pimienta.
The Andalusian team almost had no offensive presence when the Williams brothers conceded a good clearance in the 20th minute. The next step for the home team was an inside ball that Mikel Jauregizar took advantage of to score his first goal at Athletic and especially at San Mamés. Ernesto Valverde’s team missed a few more chances and Sevilla stepped up, but Dodi Lukebakio hit the post.
Alex Berenguer had the opportunity to restore order to the home team, but Agirrezabala’s bad start cost him a red card. With the numerical advantage, there was no excuse for Sevilla, who sought the equalizer and found it through a rebound, in a play by Chidera Ejuke, denied, hitting the crossbar, and rebounding off Padilla. A point to at least stay in the Champions League zone, albeit bittersweet without a doubt, and for Pimienta’s team to find rhythm and add points, even in the lower half of the table.
A different atmosphere at least for the team from Nervión to face the upcoming derby with a Betis that gave their all at Benito Villamarín thanks to a goal from Lo Celso in the 85th minute. Espanyol suffered their third consecutive defeat in a «want but can’t» game, with almost no chances and without even stopping the home team’s offensive onslaught.
Abde missed a penalty before halftime and Joan García stopped the «periquitos» with his saves. However, a loose ball in the final minutes once again put Betis in the lead, with Lo Celso toppling Espanyol and putting his team in the round of 16 with 12 points. The blue and whites were left to mark the stop with seven points.
In the morning, Balaídos saw their team flirt with a third consecutive defeat but once again Iago Aspas came to the rescue, from the bench, with a goal in the 81st minute. Celta and Girona showed their initial offensive approach, without success until Yangel Herrera put the 0-1 for the Catalans. It wasn’t all joy for Míchel’s team, as they lost Oriol Romeu to injury and, at the start of the second half, also Blind.
On the other hand, Claudio Giráldez made the play with Swedberg, Douvikas, and Aspas. Girona looked comfortable but Moaña had a moment of inspiration, opened up space, and the ball came back to him to send it into the net from the edge of the area (1-1). Both teams had a chance to win at the end, but the draw was fair, although not enough for a Girona that can’t seem to find the key with new pieces.
