Celta Vigo boss Luis Enrique was left to rue the dismissal of Andreu Fontas in his team’s 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad at Anoeta.
Centre-back Fontas received his marching orders in the 65th minute for a second bookable offence, the former Barcelona man blocking Carlos Vela’s way when the Mexican appeared to be through on goal as Celta led 3-1.
It was a decision that ultimately cost the visitors the game with Vela going on to notch a 20-minute hat-trick to seal the points and take his tally for the evening to four.
“I’m sure all coaches complain about referees’ decisions but Andreu did not need to make his tackle at that particular moment,” Enrique told reporters post-match.
“It was a strange game. Early on we gave them too much room, got back into it, made life complicated for ourselves at 3-1, then made it easy for them by letting them attack and create chances.
“At 3-2 down and with a man less it became difficult and we eventually got nothing. But we scored three times at a tricky place to come and are satisfied that we were able to be competitive.”
Enrique conceded that the decision to play three central defenders following Fontas’ sending off caused the Galicians more problems than it solved.
“I played three centre-backs because we were 3-2 down with 10 men and wanted to stop Agirretxe getting into the box, as well as stopping them out wide, but it didn’t work.
“However, the reality is that La Real, who are on another level and fighting for different things, overcame us and in the end were better.
“As for ourselves, we are going home with empty handed despite all our efforts,” he concluded.
