Celta Vigo secured a key home win against Deportivo Alavés in matchday 9 of La Liga EA Sports. Claudio Giráldez's side won 2-1 with goals from Ferran Jutglà and Javi Rodríguez, a result that lifts them to eighth in the standings with 11 points, from a record of two wins, five draws and two losses. The team has scored 10 goals and conceded 7 this campaign.
The match, which kicked off at 16:15 under clear skies, was goalless at half-time. The deadlock was broken eight minutes after the restart. A precise assist from Javi Rodríguez found Ferran Jutglà, who finished clinically to make it 1-0. The second came in the 71st minute, when substitute Iago Aspas set up Javi Rodríguez to score. Alavés, who had created more chances, pulled one back late through Hugo Novoa, but there was no time for an equaliser.
Rotations and lineups
Claudio Giráldez did not repeat his starting eleven for the third game running, making rotations due to the congested schedule. The defence was bolstered by the introduction of Marcos Alonso for the cautioned Cáceres. Alavés, meanwhile, fielded five former Celta players, including Jonny and Denis Suárez. Visiting manager Quique Sánchez Flores was also forced to adjust his right flank due to the suspension of Ángel Pérez.
A needed win in context
This victory is particularly valuable as it ends a run of just one league win this season. The team arrives at this success following a tough extra-time Europa League exit to Juventus, a 1-2 loss that followed a 0-0 draw with Elche and preceded this win over Alavés. With this 2-1 result, Celta improves its record to two wins, five draws and two losses, maintaining a positive goal difference of +3. Their recent form across the last five matches reads two wins, one draw and two losses. In the table, the side now sits 16 points behind leaders Barcelona. The next challenge comes on Saturday 25 October, a high-stakes clash at Balaídos against fourth-placed Real Betis. The squad will look to carry the momentum from this win into a key fixture against a direct rival in the European places fight.
The report in full is at La Vanguardia Deportes
