Omonia 1 - 0 Celta: slip-up in Cyprus | OneFootball

A deserved defeat for the Vigo side against a disciplined Omonia team that created plenty of danger against a flat and apathetic Celta, with Radu once again their standout player.

Today was an opportunity for Celta to win their first match of the season. Against beatable opposition, where the hardest part had been the trip and the schedule, they let the chance to build some positive momentum slip away. Once again, they looked like a predictable team, with a worrying lack of fight, and one that has nothing to fall back on once taken out of its script.

Omonia surprised Celta by pressing high, catching them slightly off guard. Celta quickly took control of the game, but struggled to increase the tempo of their passing. The Cypriots soon showed their aggression with the first chance, as a shot from EvandroCosta after bringing down Driouech was struck toward the far post with his left foot, forcing Radu into action. The Vigo side woke up and pinned the Cypriot team back, though Omonia looked comfortable in a low block. A ball from Marcos Alonso that fell to Álvaro Núñez was met on the volley by Pablo Durán, but Satka cleared it for a corner. That was Celta’s only noteworthy chance, along with a shot from Burcio that was blocked by the defense.

The lack of tempo was a burden against an Omonia side that looked relatively dangerous on the counter. Haiti World Cup player Duverne lit up the match, breaking its script and turning it into an end-to-end contest with the full-back at the heart of it. First he sent in a cross for Diony that forced Radu to punch clear. Then Celta had a transition that Jutglá could not finish with his back to goal, and Duverne again led a counterattack that he finished himself with a left-footed strike that Radu got a touch on, though it also hit the crossbar.

Celta tried to respond by pushing into the opposition half, but their most dangerous effort was a long-range shot from Miguel Román. The two teams traded the initiative, but Omonia looked far more threatening and had another dangerous chance with a shot from Andreou that a heroic Radu turned behind for a corner. The first half ended with dreadful feelings for Celta. Much like in the league, their lack of penetration and speed in moving the ball made them look flat, allowing Omonia to regroup comfortably and counter with more danger than anything created by Claudio’s side.

The second half began with signs of change. Pablo Durán and Jutglá failed to make the most of a 3-on-2 break, while Diony sent a volley wide. Omonia kept warning and carried on with the good feelings from the first half, showing a freedom that seems almost impossible for the sky-blues. That lack of flair led Claudio to look to the bench and bring on Williot and Hugo González.

Their introductions made sense for one reason: Celta did not have a shot on target in the second half until the 66th minute, when Álvaro Núñez connected with a rebound using his weaker foot. It would prove to be a sign of what was to come. Román slipped a pass through for Williot, who got into the box and pulled it back, and after a small scramble, Durán ended up putting the ball in the net, though the goal was eventually ruled out for the Swede being offside.

After the disallowed goal, Balkovec sent a free kick wide. Omonia could see the finish line and still decided to go for the game, just like a Celta side that brought on Borja Iglesias. "El Panda" had a chance almost immediately, pouncing on a rebound with his weaker foot, but it was blocked by the defense and then followed up by Javi Rodríguez. He first got a shot away and then, from another corner, laid it off to Miguel Román, whose volley threatened Fabiano’s goal. The Vigo side were pushing and appealed for a handball by Balkovec on the goal line, but Hungarian referee Barkas gave nothing, handing the Cypriot side a bit of relief.

Balkovec was decisive at both ends, first saving a goal and then scoring one of the goals of the European matchday. After the pressure and a poor clearance by Hugo Álvarez, the Slovenian picked up the ball and, with a fierce strike, beat Radu, who could only get a touch that sent it into the net. A cold shower for Celta, who were knocking on the door no more than the Cypriots and did not deserve to win.

After that, the home side threw everything forward but created nothing, as has been the case all season. There is clearly a mental block, but the pattern from the league has now officially carried over into Europe. A defeat for the Vigo side that deepens their crisis and brings another flat, toothless performance. A lot to think about and little time to reflect, because in three days Racing de Santander come to Balaídos. Four wins in their last 19 matches, a worrying lack of goals, and nobody is capable of producing anything beyond what the coach sets out. A lot can be said, but the only good thing about this situation is that it cannot get any worse.

Match details

Omonia: Fabiano; Duverne, Coulibaly, Satka, Balkovec; Andreou, Maric; Costa (Mayambela, 90+3), Tankovic (Brouwers, 63), Montnor (Tanase, 90+4); Diony (Kakoullis, 75)

Celta: Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Álvaro Núñez (Borja Iglesias, 78), Miguel Román, Hugo Burcio (Febas, 72), Sergio Carreira; Pablo Durán (Hugo Álvarez, 72), Driouech (Williot, 56); Jutglá (Hugo González, 56)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.