Celta Vigo travelled to the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Friday knowing that three points against basement outfit Deportivo La Coruna would have moved them out of the relegation zone.
The first period did not go to plan, however, with Riki opening the scoring for the home side before Iago Aspas saw red for Celta.
Deportivo continued to look the more likely in the second period, with goals from Silvio and Diogo Salomao opening up a three-goal lead. Celta did score a late consolation through Chu-young Park, but it was not enough to stage a comeback.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 28 in La Liga gets underway from La Coruna as Deportivo welcome Celta Vigo. The phrase ‘six-pointer’ is widely overused in football, but this match certainly falls into that category. Deportivo simply have to start picking up wins to stand a chance of remaining in the division, but Celta will not be in the mood for any handouts.
Celta have enjoyed the better of the recent meetings between the two sides with three wins to Deportivo’s one in the last five matches. As mentioned, the reverse fixture at Celta earlier in the season ended in a 1-1 draw, but the two teams have not met at this stadium since November 2007, when Celta were 1-0 winners.
TEAMS:
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Marchena, Pablo, Aythami, Silvio; Valeron, Aguilar, Dominguez, Riki; Gama, Pizzi
CELTA: Varas; Demidov, Tunez, Lago, Johny; Pranjic, Oubina, Fernandez, De Lucas; Bermejo, Aspas
So there we have it. Deportivo manager Fernando Vasquez is able to recall Riki to his starting side, while Bruno Gama and Pizzi both start in attack. There is no place for Paulo Assuncao, however, with the Brazilian taking his place on the bench. Celta boss Abel Resino, meanwhile, prefers Mario Bermejo to Michael Krohn-Dehli in attack.
Depor have picked up just one point from their last six matches, which has left them marooned at the bottom of the table. They are nine points adrift of 17th-placed Real Zaragoza, with many people suggesting that they are already gone. We might have a clearer indication of their fate following the events this evening.
It is not difficult to see where Depor have struggled this season. They have scored 29 goals in their 27 matches, far from disastrous, but they have conceded 58 times, the highest number in the division. To put that into context with the teams around them, they have conceded almost double the number of 15th-placed Osasuna.
It isn’t as if Deportivo can call upon a strong home record this evening with the basement outfit currently holding the worst home form in the league. They have won just three of their 13 matches, drawing three and losing seven. They are also the only side not to win a single away match this season, which is a clear indication of their troubles.
Celta have managed just three points from their last six matches, but will have been buoyed by their performance against Real Madrid last time out, despite losing to a late Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Should they win this evening, they would move out of the relegation zone, but they have won just one of their last six.
Celta’s away record this season will not fill them with too much confidence having managed just one win from 14 matches, drawing once and losing 12 times. Even Deportivo (five) have taken more points on the road than Celta (four). So, we have the worst home team in the league against the worst away team. Care to pick a winner?!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. It is quite comfortably the toughest game to predict this weekend, I am going to sit on the fence and say a score draw.
Just a reminder of the main team news. Riki returns to the Deportivo team alongside Bruno Gama and Pizzi, while Aspas is paired in the Celta attack with Bermejo. There have been some big matches at both ends of the table this season, but this is certainly up there. The away side get the action underway on this mild night in Spain.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a wonderful atmosphere. This is just such a big match for both of these sides. Strong start from Celta as Fernandez collects possession in midfield before combining with Aspas, but his cross into the box is collected by Aranzubia.
A reminder that three points for Celta would move them out of the relegation zone, but Deportivo would remain six points from safety even if they win this evening. Neither side has really managed to settle inside the opening four minutes, but Celta are enjoying most of the ball. In these type of matches, the first goal is always key.
Again it's good work from the away side as Aspas flicks a header towards Bermejo, the striker in turn finds De Lucas in a wide position, but his header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Deportivo counter down the other end with Pizzi, but the Portuguese just cannot find a pass towards his compatriot Gama.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to issue the first yellow card of the match to Tunez. The resulting free kick is whipped into the area by Pizzi, but Lago is on hand to turn behind for a corner. Better from the hosts.
The home supporters continue to light up this stadium with deafening noise. It must help the players knowing that they have such strong support despite being marooned to the bottom of the table. No real chances inside the opening nine minutes, but both sides have demonstrated plenty of attacking intent. Who can find that elusive first strike? If it indeed comes.
GOAL! Deportivo 1-0 Celta Vigo (Riki)
First blood to Depor! It's horror defending from Celta as Riki is allowed to collect a pass from Gama before turning and firing his effort into the back of the net. Composed from the experienced striker, but where on earth was the marking? What a big goal that could prove to be.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Riki collects possession on the right before driving into the box, but Lago is across to clear at the vital moment. End-to-end football at the moment with both sides guilty of losing possession in midfield. We could be in for a real classic in this relegation clash.
Neither team can keep hold of the ball for any sort of extended period at the moment with the passes continuing to miss the desired destination. Celta attempt to respond as Aspas combines with De Lucas outside the box, but there is no where to go with the home side defending in numbers. This result would be a real blow to Celta's survival hopes.
The decisions continue to go for Deportivo as Demidov becomes the latest Celta player to have his name taken for a handball outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick is taken by Pizzi, but his effort is straight into the wall. It almost seems as if the world is against Celta at the moment. They are not getting anything.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Pizzi finds Riki in the penalty area, but this time the striker can only stroke his effort into the arms of the goalkeeper. With the score at 1-0, Celta will always have a chance, but another Depor goal and it would be a tough ask. The opening 18 minutes of this match has just flown by.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the home side continue to look the most likely to add to the scoring. Celta started the match full of confidence, but that has diminished since conceding the opening goal. One-way traffic as Depor continue to pass and probe outside the box.
Slightly bitty period in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of giving away a host of fouls in the opposing half. Celta do create a half-chance as Aspas strikes from distance, but his effort is turned behind. The resulting corner is taken by Fernandez, but Aranzubia comes through the crowd to thump clear of the penalty box.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Pranjic strikes a free kick from distance, but it was always rising over the crossbar. I do not mean to sound like a broken record here, but both sets of supporters have been a credit to their clubs thus far. The singing has not stopped from each end of the ground since the opening minute of football.
Better from Celta in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Aranzubia before Silvio clears the second. Aspas is allowed the opportunity to strike from just outside the box moments later, but once more it was wide of the target. Much more of an even contest with 27 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, although Deportivo have just managed to put their foot on the ball following that spell of extended pressure from Celta. A counter attack threatens to force an opening for Riki, but the Spaniard decides to strike from an impossible angle rather than look inside to Pizzi, whose look says it all.
RED CARD! Celta have been reduced to 10 men as Aspas is sent from the field. It is a bad one from the striker who sticks his head towards Manuel Pablo in the penalty area. The referee did not see it, but his linesman did. Poor play from Aspas. He may well have cost his team here.
Well, that has certainly made Celta's task harder this evening. It has not been a brutal match with just the two yellow cards awarded thus far, but now the away side must play the remainder of this match with 10 men. Advantage to Deportivo and they look to make their mark immediately with a counter involving Riki and Pizzi.
Celta boss Abel Resino is clearly not happy with the decision as he continues his discussion with the fourth official, but when he sees the incident, he will not have one complaint. His star striker has cost his team in this match. All one-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe in the Celta half. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for the home side as Riki collects a pass from Gama before striking a powerful effort towards goal, but Varas is across to palm clear. The resulting corner causes problems in the away side's box, but eventually Tunez manages to thump clear. You just get the feeling that Celta need to hold on until the interval. Another goal now could seal it for Depor.
Sloppy from Celta as they continue to hand Deportivo free kicks outside the penalty area. The latest set piece almost costs them as Pizzi floats a cross right onto the head of Riki, but he can only fire over the target. Depor really are getting some joy in the wide positions at the moment with Gama causing all sorts of problems with his pace and power.
Nervous about the result? Want to 'Cash in your bet'? See how with William Hill.
A free kick for Celta comes close to levelling the terms as De Lucas strikes from outside the box, but his effort was always travelling over the crossbar, much to the delight of the home support. Little over three minutes of football remaining in the first period, with the two sides still separated by that early Riki goal. Will there be late drama in the first half?
In fairness to Celta, they have not folded since the Aspas red card. Another half-chance arrives as Pranjic floats a dangerous cross into the box, but it is just too long for Bermejo, with the ball moving behind for a goal kick. There is a real party atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters singing their hearts out.
Another floated free kick from Pranjic allows Bermejo to meet the ball in the Deportivo box, but his header was more up than straight, with Aranzubia on hand to collect. The referee indicates that we will play one additional two minutes at the end of the first period and we are indeed into the first of those.
HALF-TIME: Deportivo 1-0 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Deportivo leading 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Riki after nine minutes. Celta's task has also become harder following the dismissal of Aspas for a headbutt on Pablo. It is a long way back for Celta this evening.
STATISITCS: The away side have just shaded the possession with 52%, but they have not managed a meaningful shot on target. Deportivo have not exactly peppered with the Celta goal, with just two shots on target, but they have had seven efforts in total.
BENCH WATCH: Depor do have attacking options on the bench in the shape of Nelson Oliveira and Diogo Salomao, but I suspect they will see no reason to change at this stage of the match. Celta also have options, meanwhile, in the shape of Chu-young Park and Michael Krohn-Dehli.
As it stands, Deportivo would remain bottom of the table, but they would be just six points from safety. Celta, meanwhile, would sit in 19th position, three points above their opponents this evening. If Celta can turn it around in the second period, then they will move out of the bottom three. Right, the action will soon resume.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not that surprising. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in terms of the final result. The home side get the action underway.
Crucial 10 minutes coming up for Celta. It is not too important for them to score at this stage of the match, but they simply cannot concede again. If they can stay in the game until the latter stages, then the nerves from Deportivo will certainly show. But a point is not really good enough for either side this evening.
Acculmulator going well? Want to take your money now? Check out William Hill's 'CASH IN MY BET' service!
It's good work from Celta as De Lucas collects possession in a wide area before firing a cross into the box, but Silvio is on hand to make the clearance. A corner for the away side follows, but once more Aranzubia comes through a crowd of players to collect the danger. It has been a really commanding display from the Spanish goalkeeper thus far.
Half-chance for the home side on the counter as Aranzubia sets Pizzi on his way, but the Portuguese is too quick for his teammates as he eventually runs out of options. End-to-end start to this second period, but no real chances for either side. I suspect that both managers may look to their bench in the next 10 minutes or so.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both teams struggling to put any sort of attacking pressure together. In truth, Deportivo have not really made their man advantage count thus far, which will certainly disappoint their supporters. But that isn't the case at the moment as the home fans continue to sing their hearts out. Party atmosphere in La Coruna.
CHANCE! Oh my word how has he missed? Wonderful run from Riki as he beats the offside trap before advancing into the Celta box, but without a defender in sight he fires wide of the target. That could have been the chance to wrap up all three points. Another half-chance arrives moments later, but Varas palms a Riki effort wide of the post.
The away side make their first change of the match as De Lucas is replaced by Fabian Orellana. The forward has the best part of 30 minutes to make his mark on this game. Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment with each guilty of poor passing in the final third. You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pizzi flashes a low cross into the box, but Varas is just out to deny Riki an effort on goal. The resulting corner is whipped into the penalty area by Pizzi, but Tunez rises highest to clear the danger. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining this evening.
A reminder that Deportivo will remain bottom of the league regardless of the result this evening, but they would move to within six points of safety. Celta, as it stands, would remain in 19th, three points ahead of Deportivo. The home supporters really are carrying their side through at the moment as they threaten the second with a succession of corners.
Orellana's first real involvement comes in a wide area as the striker combines with Bermejo before firing a cross into the box, but once more Aranzubia is on hand to claim under pressure from Fernandez. Depor advance immediately down the other end with Riki, but his effort is blocked by Tunez. End-to-end football with just about 25 minutes of action remaining.
GOAL! Deportivo 2-0 Celta Vigo (Silvio)
WOW! What has just happened?! Deportivo lead 2-0 I can tell you that. The scorer? Silvio. Wonderful effort from the defender as he picks up possession outside the box before thumping a 40-yard strike into the top corner. What a sensational effort from the Portuguese.
Bet £25 and get a £25 FREE bet with William Hill. Click here to join now. T&Cs apply, new customers only
In truth, it had been coming. Deportivo were hardly peppering the Celta goal, but they just had started to exert some serious pressure. It is a long way back for Celta from this position. Abel Resino's look says it all as he holds his head in his hands. Celta simply have to go for it from this position.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pizzi finds Riki in a wide position, the striker takes one touch before firing an effort towards the top corner, but Varas is on hand to make the save. The resulting corner is met by the head of Pablo, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar.
Celta make their second change of the match as Bermejo is replaced by Park. It just hasn't quite happened for the former this evening. The Spaniard needs some to feed off in the final third, but he has not had that with Aspas sent from the field in the first period. It is difficult to see Celta finding a way back into this match.
Slightly untidy period in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a succession of poor fouls. It would not be a surprise to see another red card in the latter stages as Celta continue to lose their discipline. Still no movement on the home side's bench with little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
Half-chance for the home side as Aguilar tries his luck from distance, but his powerful effort is beaten away by Varas, who has been his side's best player this evening. The home supporters have not stopped singing from the very first minute this evening, so try stopping them now. Their side is on course for a vital three points as the bottom of La Liga.
Another half-chance for the home side as Gama advanced into the penalty area before rounding Varas, but his last touch just takes him into a wide position, with Varas on hand to make the save. It is simply all one-way traffic at the moment with Celta struggling to keep hold of the ball. They have been just about as poor as you could possibly imagine this evening.
It's wonderful pace from Pizzi as the Portuguese shows the entire Celta defence a clean pair of boots, but he can only fire over the crossbar at the vital moment. Finally Depor make their first change of the evening as Riki is replaced by Salomao. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining this evening.
GOAL! Deportivo 3-0 Celta Vigo (Salomao)
Deportivo have their third of the evening as Salomao collects a pass from Pizzi before rounding the goalkeeper and firing into the back of the net. Game over. Meanwhile, the away side make their third and final change of the evening as Krohn-Dehli replaces Fernandez.
GOAL! Deportivo 3-1 Celta Vigo (Park)
Celta finally have their consolation as Park is on hand to tap home a Krohn-Dehli cross from close range. It is a case of too little too late, but at least their supporters will have something to cheer this evening.
You do wonder what kind of damage this will do to Celta this evening. They are going to leave with zero points, but what does the manager say after they have been beaten 3-1 by the basement side in the division? He is going to have to pick them up for next week. It could yet get worse in the final eight minutes or so.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with the home side prepared to stroke around possession in midfield. There has been no sign of the Celta comeback, even when they fell 1-0 behind after nine minutes. They may have lost this match with 11 men, but Aspas must take some of the blame following his dismissal in the first period.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with the home side prepared to stroke around possession in midfield. There has been no sign of the Celta comeback, even when they fell 1-0 behind after nine minutes. They may have lost this match with 11 men, but Aspas must take some of the blame following his dismissal in the first period.
Deportivo make their second change of the match as Valeron - who has been sensational this evening - is replaced by Bergantinos. Valeron may not have the legs anyone, but he still has that wonderful understanding of the game. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in this La Liga clash in La Coruna.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time this evening and we are indeed into the first of those. Half-chance for the home side to add their fourth as Park meets a cross from Krohn-Dehli, but he can only head over the crossbar from close range.
The home supporters continue to make their voices known in the final few moments of this match. Their side will remain bottom of the table, but this has at least given them some hope in the final past of the season. Little over one minute of normal time remaining and Deportivo have possession in their own half.
FULL-TIME: Deportivo La Coruna 3-1 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. Deportivo pick up all three points against 10-man Celta Vigo. They remain rooted to the bottom of the table, but they are now six points from safety. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
