The hosts improved after the interval and struck twice to establish control, but Novoa’s late goal ensured the closing stages remained uncomfortable. Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu then made important saves to protect the lead.
Celta coach Claudio Giráldez was pleased to collect three points after previous performances had not always brought the results he felt his side deserved. However, he was less satisfied with the overall display, particularly the mistakes that allowed Alavés back into the match.
“I’m happy with the result. I think many times we have been superior and have not managed to get any points,” Giráldez said.
He felt Celta had lacked energy and read the game poorly in the first half, before improving through greater aggression and a change of system after the break.
“In the second half, in terms of attitude, effort, pressing and being more aggressive, we improved. The change of system at half-time allowed Javi Rodríguez and Carreira to cause them a lot of problems. We were fortunate to take our chances at those moments.”
Giráldez was particularly frustrated that Celta became careless in possession after taking the lead, allowing Alavés to build momentum and threaten a comeback.
“When we had the game in our hands, we made a lot of unnecessary mistakes, simply trying to keep possession instead of switching the play. When we moved the ball across, we had plenty of time.”
The Celta manager also praised Radu for his contribution late on, but warned that the team could not afford to rely on their goalkeeper to rescue them repeatedly.
“He was very good in those moments, but I’m not happy with the game. Right now, we need points. We are finding it very difficult to win. We have to understand that everyone must work together at maximum intensity to get a victory.”
Alavés manager Quique Sánchez Flores was disappointed to leave Vigo empty-handed after what he considered one of his side’s strongest away performances of the season.
“We played a great match. The defeat should not distract us from the performance we produced. I think it was our best away game of the season,” he said.
Sánchez Flores pointed to his team’s possession and attacking output, including 20 shots, but regretted two defensive lapses that proved costly.
“We completed 20 shots. We went away from our plan for six or seven minutes and were punished heavily with two goals where we showed a little softness defensively.”
For Celta, the victory brought relief and a place in the upper half of the table. For Alavés, the performance offered encouragement, but the lack of defensive authority and finishing left them without a reward.