Celta Lets It Draw In The Last Breath In Belgrade And Giráldez Regrets The Result

Celta let themselves be tied in the last breath in Belgrade and Giráldez regrets the result

Debutant Fer López scored a great goal, but Red Star equalized in the 88th minute, frustrating the celestial ambition.

The Celta de Vigo bench experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in Belgrade. Claudio Giráldez, visibly upset, analyzed the one-goal draw against Estrella Roja. A result that, in his opinion, “tarnished the great game” that his team had played in Serbian lands. The joy of debutant Fer López's goal, which put the light blue team ahead in the 87th minute, faded just sixty seconds later with the local tie.

“It's a shame that with the final push they tied us,” Giráldez acknowledged in the press room. Despite the frustration over the final score, the light blue coach wanted to highlight the attitude and intention of his players. “I am happy for the attitude of the players, for the intention of the team because after 0-1 we wanted to go for second to have our chances of being in the top-8,” he stressed.

Fer López's performance was one of the high points of the match for Celta. The young footballer, who was making his debut with the first team, showed signs of his talent with a great goal that excited the Vigo parish. Giráldez did not spare his praise for his pupil, despite admitting that he is not yet at his physical peak.

“Fer has been brilliant since he came on, playing with a lot of personality, improving the plays and with the culmination of that great goal,” said the coach. “I hope it is the first of many and I hope we continue to evolve as a team. I am very happy for him and for the performance he had today,” added Giráldez, visibly satisfied with the youth squad's performance.

The next round of 32 of the European competition presents itself as a new challenge for Celta. When asked about a possible preference between PAOK Thessaloniki or French side Lille, Giráldez was cautious. The coach recalled that his team has already faced both in the group stage, with mixed results.

“I couldn't tell you. It's a journey in a scenario that we don't know, that is going to have uncertainty,” said Giráldez. “Lille, with a recent match that is even fresher, can have its positive side but also a negative side. Whoever the rival is, it will be a complicated tie,” said the coach, making it clear that Celta will face any confrontation with the utmost seriousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored Celta's goal in Belgrade?: Celta's goal was scored by the debutant Fer Lopez in the 87th minute of the game.
What was the final result of the match against Red Star?: The match ended with a one-goal draw. Red Star equalized in the 88th minute.
What did Claudio Giráldez think about his team's performance?: Giráldez considered that the team played a “great game” despite the final tie, highlighting the attitude and intention of the players.
How did Giráldez evaluate Fer López's performance?: The coach praised Fer López's performance, calling it “brilliant” and highlighting his personality and the great goal scored.
Does Celta have any rival preference for the next round?: Claudio Giráldez stated that he has no preference, recognizing that both potential rivals, PAOK Thessaloniki and Lille, present difficulties.
When will the round of 32 tie be played?: Information on the exact dates of the tie is not detailed in the original text.
What objective does Celta have in the European competition?: Celta seeks to have a chance to be in the “top-8” of the competition.
Has Celta played against PAOK or Lille previously this season?: Yes, Celta already faced both teams in the League Phase.
What aspect of the game did Giráldez mainly regret?: He regretted that the team received the tie in the last part of the match.
Is Fer López already considered a one hundred percent player?: Giráldez admitted that Fer López is still not “one hundred percent,” but his performance was outstanding.