In Nicosia, where Celta hoped Europe might offer a change of scenery, the same problem followed them from Spain: chances without the finish. A 1-0 defeat to Omonia on Wednesday opened their Europa League league-phase campaign with another frustrating result.
Celta leave Nicosia still searching for a win
Claudio Giráldez’s side remain without a victory in an official match this season. Their domestic return has brought four draws and two defeats, and the trip to Cyprus extended that difficult sequence despite a performance the coach felt deserved more.
Giráldez said Celta must break their current run, admitting that they had again failed to do so in Nicosia. He nevertheless identified several reasons not to lose belief in the team.
- Celta registered 12 efforts from inside the penalty area.
- The visitors had either 17 or 18 attempts in total, as assessed by Giráldez.
- Omonia’s efforts came from outside the box.
- Despite Celta’s territorial pressure, Omonia took the match 1-0.
“There were many good things in the game,” Giráldez said. “We had 12 shots from inside their area and 17 or 18 attempts overall. They only shot from distance, although they deserve credit for their work. We could not find the final move. There are aspects to improve, but I think we were the better team and it was not enough.”
Fine margins turn against the visitors
The Celta coach described a night in which every small incident seemed to favour the home side. His team had a goal ruled out for offside and saw a possible handball decision go against them, while close-range openings fell just short of producing the equaliser.
“When you do not win, it feels as if everything goes the wrong way,” he said. “We have to keep working and persist because this season has only begun. The match was heavily tilted towards their goal. We are in a spell where every detail goes against us: finishes near goal have missed by a centimetre, there was the offside for the disallowed goal, the handball that seems to be given and then is not, and then two opposing full-backs put shots into the top corner.”
Giráldez expects Celta’s finishing and their opponents’ efficiency to return to more normal levels. He also credited Omonia for defending close to their goal when required and for carrying a threat when they were able to break forward.
- Giráldez viewed Omonia as a side of a comparable standard in the same European competition.
- He singled out former acquaintance Satka as a player of high quality.
- The Celta coach said Omonia’s substitutes made a significant contribution.
- He noted that the Cypriot side possess several attacking options.
Racing visit offers an immediate response
Celta now return to Balaídos, with Racing due in Vigo on Saturday in the final league fixture before the international break. For Giráldez, the quick turnaround is welcome: he wants his players back on the pitch as soon as possible to alter the momentum.
“We are unhappy with the results at the start of the season, but there are plenty of positive situations to hold on to and to keep faith in the team,” he said. “We know clearly what must improve. Right now, confidence and boldness are costing us. The answer is to persist, trust ourselves and not lose our heads.”
After Racing, Celta’s European schedule brings Juventus to Balaídos for the second round of the Europa League league phase.
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SEO Title: Celta seek response after Omonia defeat in Nicosia
SEO Description: Claudio Giráldez urges Celta to stay calm after a 1-0 Europa League loss at Omonia, with Racing and Juventus next at Balaídos.
