Given how well Celta Vigo rounded off last season, few at the start of the campaign would have predicted that at some point in the season, a victory against newcomers Cordoba would be a crucial one.
With only three points separating the sides, Celta needed to win and win they did. Nolito’s solitary goal offered not only a much needed three points but an end to a three-month winless streak. Yes, three months.
It is of little wonder as to why much of the pre-match build-up was centred on Eduardo Berizzo and the possibility that he could find himself out of a job after 90 minutes of football. He shrugged it off at the time and focused on his team, but must have been well-aware of the swinging axe edging perilously closer.
A win against Cordoba was a must. Berrizo himself highlighted the match as an important one, which is indicative of Celta’s poor run. Losses against Espanyol and Getafe had called Celta’s pedigree into question. The Galacian club made huge strides under Luis Enrique last year, the current Barcelona boss taking the side from relegation candidates to Europa League hopefuls in the space of a season.
A jump of eight places in one season could be seen as overachievement, and few may disagree. It is maintaining that over-achievement which became the unenviable task of Berrizo. Enrique was in the wind, and he took influential midfielder Rafinha Alcantara back to Barca with him.
But Joaquin Larrivey has been a revelation since his move from Almeria, and Nolito has been dangerous as ever, but that’s it. Fabian Orellana has chipped in with some goals, but few have taken on the burden of goal scoring. Moreover, the side haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet since a stalemate with Granada back in early November.
Six of Celta’s last eight La Liga losses have been 1-0 reverses. They were hardly dominated as far as the score line is concerned, meaning even if they couldn’t find a goal and merely battening down the hatches and taking a draw would’ve garnered six extra points. Celta have not been a free-scoring attacking side this season, but they’ve conceded fewer goals than most, and should play to that strength.
Celta were lauded for a great goal and a resolute defensive display in their narrow win over Barcelona. That win over their former boss meant only one loss in their opening 10 matches of the Liga season. But the elation disappeared, as Os Celticos endured a barren run few would have foreseen. With the win over Cordoba comes a new sense of optimism that Celta can do great things in the remainder of the season.
Did it save Berizzo’s job? It is difficult to say, but it certainly eased the pressure on the Argentine, who can now focus on the match against Real Sociedad. Given their similar struggles, it is an opportunity for Celta to snatch something.
Amid the doom and gloom, it is amazing how one win changes things, Celta are now in ninth, one place off last year’s end point. They may have had loftier ambitions after a blistering start to the season, but for now, a top-half finish looks a good prospect.
