Celta de Vigo have now lost seven of their last eight matches after slumping to an alarming defeat at home to Levante.
Celta boss Miguel Cardoso was without Maxi Gomez who was suspended, and Iago Aspas wasn't fit enough to start. He selected a front three of Brais Mendez, Sofine Foufal and debutant Ryad Boudebouz (on loan from Real Betis). Cardoso altered his system and played a 4-3-3 formation.
Celta boss Miguel Cardoso was without Maxi Gomez who was suspended, and Iago Aspas wasn't fit enough to start. He selected a front three of Brais Mendez, Sofine Foufal and debutant Ryad Boudebouz (on loan from Real Betis). Cardoso altered his system and played a 4-3-3 formation.
Levante reverted to a 3-5-2 formation after their unsuccessful use of a back four at Alaves last week. Although the likes of Sergio Postigo (injured) and Erick Cabaco (suspended) were unavailable, Paco Lopez was able to select Rober Pier, Ruben Vezo and Coke as his back three.
It was in the Levante midfield that major changes came, compared to last week. Jose Campana returned from suspension, Ruben Rochina was back from injury and Enis Bardhi was back in the starting XI. Lopez selected Moses Simon at right wing back and Borja Mayoral up front (with Roger Marti on the bench) - both players excelled.
Levante came into this game with just one win in their last nine matches, but controlled the contest throughout. Twenty minutes in they cut Celta open with a 12-pass move which culminated in Rochina finding Jose Luis Morales in between centre backs Wesley Hoedt and Nestor Araujo. The Levante captain finished clinically to break the team's 4 hour 50 minute goal drought.
Aitor Fernandez in the Levante goal repelled a good shot from Hugo Mallo on 36 minutes and shortly afterwards the visitors doubled their lead when Coke headed in a deep corner from Rochina. This was Coke's third goal in seven matches.
Aspas last completed 90 minutes on December 14th. Since then Celta have gained three points from 24 available. Within three minutes of the second half they were reduced to 10 men when Boudebouz was red carded for a petulant kick at Mayoral.
The 21-year-old striker on loan from Real Madrid then set up Morales for his second goal of the game - his eighth of the season: a deft and intelligent finish beyond Ruben Blanco.
Aspas briefly warmed up on the sidelines but never came on. Post match reports confirmed a new calf muscle tear: just about the worst news Cardoso could have received.
Late on Rober (on his 24th birthday) conceded a penalty for a foul on Boufal, but the decision looked an extremely poor one. After a disagreement between Boufal and Mendez over who should take the spot kick, Mendez coolly converted to make the scoreline 3-1.
However, just a minute later another flowing team move saw Bardhi assist Mayoral who nutmegged Blanco from a tight angle, scoring his second goal of the season and restoring Levante's three goal lead.
Celta's run of eight consecutive wins against Levante was emphatically ended. They've picked up just three points in 2019 - fewer than any other La Liga team. Next week they face Alaves away, with pressure on the players and coach mounting rapidly.
For Levante this was a big boost ahead of next week's game against Real Madrid.
Images from Xornal Galicia and AS.
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