Javi Rodríguez inspires Celta to valuable win over Alavés

Celta claimed their second league win of the season by beating Alavés 2-1, drawing level with their opponents on 11 points. After a quiet first half in attack, the Galicians changed the course of the match after the break, with Javi Rodríguez involved in both goals. Alavés have not won since the fourth round, when they beat Osasuna 5-2.

The opening half offered little encouragement for Celta, whose attack made no impression. Jonny Otto tested Radu in the 12th minute, before Lucas Boyé headed an Antonio Blanco cross straight at the goalkeeper. Celta captain Javi Rodríguez, 23, faced Tenaglia because Ángel Pérez was suspended after being sent off against Atlético.

After the interval, Celta brought on Febas and Rueda for Moriba and Swedberg. The change soon paid off: in the 52nd minute, Javi Rodríguez set up Jutglà, who finished with his left foot to open the scoring. Rodríguez then scored Celta’s second after an individual move, putting his side in front for good.

The win came after a 2-1 European defeat to Juve, sealed by a Kolo Muani goal in the 92nd minute. Before this match, Giráldez had made three changes, one in each line: Cáceres, Burcio and Driouech started in place of Marcos Alonso, Febas and Javi Rueda, while Hugo Álvarez moved to the left flank.

After nine league matches, Alavés are seventh and Celta eighth, with 11 points apiece. Alavés have three wins, two draws and four defeats, scoring 13 goals and conceding 10; Celta’s record is two wins, five draws and two defeats, with 10 goals scored and seven conceded. Across their last five league games, Celta are unbeaten, while Alavés have not won: the Galicians have two wins and three draws, compared with one draw and four defeats for their opponents.