Topic: Rafa Benitez - no longer at Celta Vigo

[oojason]

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Valencia 1 - 3 Celta Vigo : Copa del Rey - Last 16 : Wednesday 17th January - 8pm kick off.


Valencia XI: Domenech; Thierry, Yarek, Paulista, Jesús Vázquez; Fran Pérez, Pepelu, Javi Guerra; Marí, Diego López; Hugo Duro.
Celta XI: Iván Villar; Kevin, Startfelt, Carlos Domínguez, Ristic; Miguel, Beltrán, Sotelo, Luca de la Torre; Swedberg, Douvikas.


Valencia 0 - [1] Celta Vigo; Luca de la Torre 13' - https://streamin.one/v/4d88ce22
Valencia 0 - [2] Celta Vigo; Anastasios Douvikas penalty 18' - https://streamin.one/v/078f84f5
Valencia [1] - 2 Celta Vigo; Pepelu penalty 29' - https://streamin.one/v/a085218e
Valencia 1 - [3] Celta Vigo;  Anastasios Douvikas 80' -  https://twitter.com/aprokoPR/status/1747723618455285864


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PvgTQoTZ1A      6 minute highlights from Celta: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8jC2kGfkkI


Onto the Quarter-Finals of the Copa del Rey for Celta; the draw for which is on Friday - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_Copa_del_Rey


Next up for Rafa is... Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad (16th vs 6th), on Saturday 20th January - an 8pm kick off. Live in the UK on Viaplay Sports 1 & LALIGA TV

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

What's the general consensus on the job he's doing there? What do the Vigo fans make of him?

Not great, especially with the long periods of the low block but still being in the relegation zone up to a couple of game days ago.

https://fameceleste.foroactivo.com/t4070p980-rafa-benitez-entrenador

Can check there for yourself as well.

A few are a bit more understanding. Importantly, the club have stood by him, letting him work.

Think you're seeing the improving co-ordination and training work results start to come into play now. If they approach their league games as they did here, they'll get more fans onside. Not just the result, the positioning on the pitch. It's a tactical choice to drop the lines for him, hope he judges, with a more cohesive backline, the risk is acceptable to use the mid and high blocks more.

[MonsLibpool]

Football has moved on from his style of play.  The same applies to Mourinho.

[Bennett]

Not great, especially with the long periods of the low block but still being in the relegation zone up to a couple of game days ago.

https://fameceleste.foroactivo.com/t4070p980-rafa-benitez-entrenador

Can check there for yourself as well.

A few are a bit more understanding. Importantly, the club have stood by him, letting him work.

Think you're seeing the improving co-ordination and training work results start to come into play now. If they approach their league games as they did here, they'll get more fans onside. Not just the result, the positioning on the pitch. It's a tactical choice to drop the lines for him, hope he judges, with a more cohesive backline, the risk is acceptable to use the mid and high blocks more.

Nice one. I'm inclined to agree with MonsLiverpool's opinion above but there is more than one way to cook an egg and he'll always hold a special place in my heart.

I think he leans into this a bit, but it does feel like he's never truly been given a fair crack of the whip at anywhere he's been in terms of financial backing. Hopefully he can build Celta up because there seems to be far more scope for breaking into the European places in Spain than there is here for a club of their relative size.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

It's 100 percent a tactical choice issue with Rafa. Choice, rather than ability.

If you observe carefully, at 0 - 0, his lines are up, the press goes right to the opposition goalie; at 1 - 0 up, they drop the lines, go for the counters; at 2 - 0 up the lines get pushed up again. It's risk reward based, taking into account the score.
Thing is, when the lines are pushed up, when he's got the players and has had the time to coach them - the team plays like any top side does, and does it well. Meaning his ability to prepare the team in both phases, for these game situations high up the pitch are as good as ever, even after the change in defender position rule for goalkicks, which altered the game.
He needs to strike a balance between these things, short build-up, going long, when to drop the lines so that overall, his teams can still have possession and build games the way you could in the 00s. In 2024 that will entail more risk in the build up, but not unduly so imo.

[disgraced cake]

As far as the league goes he's been a bit unfortunate. They'd be comfortably mid table if a few games had just swung very slightly. If buts and maybes I know but they were 2-0 up at Barca with ten minutes left and lost the match, I always think when that happens it's on the players really. They matched Madrid early on in the season too but Bellingham scuffed one in from a corner just before the end.

What he's working with is distinctly average as well. They only survived on the final day last season, lost their star youngster in Veiga and to top it off it looks like Aspas is finally at that stage where he can't contribute much anymore. Been some player for them though.

Interesting to see if they can go further in the cup, if he takes that side to a final in his first season it'd probably be like taking our side to Istanbul in 2005 LOL. Apparently Manquillo is going to join from Newcastle shortly.

[BoRed]

Onto the Quarter-Finals of the Copa del Rey for Celta; the draw for which is on Friday - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_Copa_del_Rey

Next up for Rafa is... Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad (16th vs 6th), on Saturday 20th January - an 8pm kick off. Live in the UK on Viaplay Sports 1 & LALIGA TV

And home to Sociedad in the Cup again three days later. Probably one of the best draws they could have had, though Sociedad are a good side.

[oojason]

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^ should be a couple of good matches


Celta Vigo 0 - 1 Real Sociedad : League Match 21 : 8pm kick off : Live in the UK on Viaplay Sports 1 & LALIGA TV


Celta XI: Guaita; Mingueza, Núñez, Domínguez, Manu Sánchez; Miguel, Tapia, Dotor, De la Torre; Aspas, Larsen.
Sociedad XI: Remiro; Zubeldia, Le Normand, Pacheco, Aihen; Aramburu, Turrientes, Olasagasti, Brais Méndez; Magunazelaia, Sadiq.


Celta Vigo 0 - [1] Real Sociedad; Brais Mendez' 30 yarder on 11' - https://streamin.one/v/f063a0e4 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1748802216280850795

Both sides with a great chance each to score - keepers making some good saves / better finishing required...

Larsen being manhandled throughout the match so far - yet the ref is not interested...

Brais Mendez hits the post with a long range freekick on 51'

0-1; full-time.


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UXoVbZdyj4

[oojason]

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Celta Vigo 1 - 2 Real Sociedad : Copa del Rey - Quarter Final : Tuesday 23rd January - an 8pm kick off...


Celta XI: Villar; Kevin, Starfelt, Domínguez, Ristic;  Miguel, Jailson, Tapia, Hugo Álvarez; Swedberg, Douvikas.
Sociedad XI: Remiro; Aramburu, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Tierney; Becker, Zubimendi, Merino, Brais; Silva, Oyarzabal/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_Copa_del_Rey

[Boston always unofficial]

Just got a stream up,Celta concede inside two minutes,should i switch off?

[oojason]

Just got a stream up,Celta concede inside two minutes,should i switch off?

I knew it!!!

Celta Vigo 0 - [1] Real Sociedad; Mikel Oyarzabal on 2' - https://streamin.one/v/95f06d1b & https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1749893346649116799

Celta Vigo 0 - [2] Real Sociedad; Sheraldo Becker on 66' - https://streamin.one/v/9605b7d9 & https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1749914918034297034

Celta Vigo [1] - 2 Real Sociedad; Luca de la Torre on 90+2' - https://streamin.one/v/b5ae200f & https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1749921449974878703

1-2; full time.


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ABS-5OOGxE

[benitezexpletives]

Rafa's right back in the mire after that pair of results. Just as it looked like he was turnings things around too.

[Vegeta]

I think sadly just like Mourinho the game has passed him by I could see coaching in Saudi after his stint at Vigo is over. Just wish he would retire to be honest hurts to see this great man who won us the Europeon cup and La lLga titles with Valencia now slogging it away at minor teams and struggling.

[oojason]

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Celta Vigo 0 -1 Girona : 16th vs 1st : League Match 22 : Sunday 28th January - a 1pm kick off...


Celta XI: Guaita; Mingueza, Unai Núñez, Starfelt, Domínguez, Manu Sánchez; Tapia, De la Torre, Strand Larsen, Aspas, Douvikas.
Girona XI: Gazzaniga; Yan Couto, Arnau Martínez, Blind, Miguel Gutiérrez; Aleix García, Herrera, Tsygankov, Sávio, Portu, Dovbyk.

Celta Vigo 0 - [1] Girona; Portu goal on 20' - https://streamin.one/v/9996df2e & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1751598358169362656


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjaKrKN4ZWI

[BoRed]

Watched the first half, some truly awful finishing by Celta, had enough clear cut chances to be well ahead. I don't think anyone can blame Rafa, they're not playing badly, but he can only work with what he's got.

[oojason]

Watched the first half, some truly awful finishing by Celta, had enough clear cut chances to be well ahead. I don't think anyone can blame Rafa, they're not playing badly, but he can only work with what he's got.

Yep, should be in the lead. Even in the first few minutes of the 2nd half Celta create a quality chance - a free shot from 18 yards out... and the guy hits it straight at the keeper.

Been like that much of the season (along with dodgy/harsh VAR/ref decisions) - there' certainly been more matches than not where where Celta have looked the better side... but for the poor finishing.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Just push the lines up Rafa, around 10 metres ahead of where they start moving to trigger the press now when 1 - 0 down, there's nothing left to protect, you're losing serially and when chasing a game, you can't have enough of the ball to get shots in. Stubbornness only looks good when you're getting results.
The Celta board have been incredibly supportive, all things considered.
In 2008, you chase a game, the opponents drop their lines for you to ostensibly protect the lead, you get the ball. These days, plenty of them don't, your job to have a solution ready for them.

[Black Bull Nova]

Celta are 17th now and one point above safety and out of the cup. Aside from game 1 they have only lost one game by more than one goal.


They have two mid table teams up next away followed by 4 games including playing 2 of the bottom 3 and Real and Barca.


This should define their season.

[paulrazor]

Football has moved on from his style of play.  The same applies to Mourinho.

Yeah I think the same unfortunately

I would have had him back in a heartbeat many a time

Sadly not now

I still love the guy though

[mattD]

Yeah I think the same unfortunately

I would have had him back in a heartbeat many a time

Sadly not now

I still love the guy though

Same, unfortunately time has moved on.

I still wonder if he has something more to give. It wasn't that long ago he was outperforming with Newcastle and the fans loved him there. I do hope he finds his feet again.

[paulrazor]

Same, unfortunately time has moved on.

I still wonder if he has something more to give. It wasn't that long ago he was outperforming with Newcastle and the fans loved him there. I do hope he finds his feet again.

I had the pleasure of meeting him at a book signing, absolute gent.

He really made some bad career moves but he was shafted a lot.

I cant imagine he is the easiest to get along with if he is manager at your club, whether you are board member, owner or player, mind you I do believe he does it for the good of the club, like with us.

As I said he was really shafted with a lot of clubs. Liverpool, Valencia, Inter, Napoli.

Real Madrid and chelsea pretty much made their mind up about him before he even got in the front door.

The only thing that made sense about going to Everton was getting to live in the city again, nothing else made sense there. Japan was a weird one too

It was nice to see Newcastle appreciate him, although that fat clown Ashley ruined all that

[oojason]

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Osasuna 0 - 3 Celta Vigo : League Match 23 : Sunday 4th February - a 3.15pm kick off : live in the UK on Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV

Osasuna XI: Herrera; Areso, David García, Catena, Juan Cruz, Rubén Peña; Iker Muñoz, Pablo Ibáñez, Moi Gómez, Raúl García, Budimir.
Celta XI: Guaita; Manquillo, Tapia, Unai Núñez, Domínguez, Ristić; Jaílson, Fran Beltrán; Mingueza, De la Torre, Strand Larsen.


Osasuna 0 - [1] Celta; Jorgen Strand Larsen 24' - https://streamin.one/v/c1059e36 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1754169270689267989

Osasuna 0 - [2] Celta; Luca de la Torre 25' - https://streamin.one/v/efeb3f71 & https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1754169295842488388

Osasuna 0 - [3] Celta Vigo; Anastasios Douvikas 90' - https://streamin.one/v/855f1979 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1754190190027887016


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gC3YKxS7Zc

[oojason]

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Getafe 3 - 2 Celta Vigo : League Match 24 : Sunday 11th Feb, a 1pm kick off : live in the UK on Viaplay Sports 2 and LALIGA TV...


Getafe XI: David Soria; Iglesias, Djené, Alderete, Diego Rico; Jordi, Maksimovic, Luis Milla, Greenwood; Mata, Borja Mayoral
Celta XI: Guaita; Manquillo, Jailson, Domínguez, Núñez, Ristic; Mingueza, Tapia, Fran Beltrán, Luca de la Torre; Larsen.


Getafe [1] - 0 Celta; Mayoral on 41' - https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1756675761149223296
Getafe [2] - 0 Celta; Mata on 45+2' - https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1756677030777631111
Getafe 2 - [1] Celta; Strand Larsen on 71' - https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1756688587997823253
Getafe 2 - [2] Celta; Allende on 85' - https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1756692186186346932
Getafe [3] - 2 Celta; Mata on 89' - https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1756692957334278331 


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlQwHkVTxmk

[Caligula?]

Unfortunately Rafa is yet another manager who has been left behind by the modern game.

[Sangria]

Unfortunately Rafa is yet another manager who has been left behind by the modern game.

All managers do. We saw that most graphically with Dalglish. A student of pass and move that was revolutionary in its day, but which had been adopted by all strong sides, with newer managers building on that. A giant whose shoulders others stand on. But they are just that bit higher up, by virtue of standing on that giant.

[Vegeta]

I really wish he would just retire and just become a pundit or something. He's clearly washed and should not spend the final years of his career slumming it out at mediocre teams in the relegation zone, it's doing absolutely nothing for his legacy but harming it. Rarely see a manager turn around his career when he's been in decline for years, he needs to face some hard truths.

[oojason]

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Celta Vigo 1 - 2 Barcelona : League Match 25 : Saturday 17th February - a 5.3pm kick off : live in the UK on...Viaplay Sports 2 & LALIGA TV


Celta XI: Guaita; Allende, Ristic, Dominguez, Starfelt, Mingueza; Luca de la Torre, Beltrán, Tapia; Strand Larsen, Iago Aspas.
Barca XI: ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; de Jong, Christensen, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Vitor Roque.


Celta Vigo 0 - [1] Barcelona; Robert Lewandowski 45' - https://streamin.one/v/fcd6c68c & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1758920284768293147
Celta Vigo [1] - 1 Barcelona; Iago Aspas goal on 47' - https://streamin.one/v/1f94ae03 & https://twitter.com/tekkersfoot/status/1758924497179054369
Celta Vigo 1 - [2] Barcelona; Lewandowski 90+8' (penalty) - https://streamin.one/v/0605a717 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1758939510849634536


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGq8j_iUkjA

[Hestoic]

Unfortunately Rafa is yet another manager who has been left behind by the modern game.

I wonder if his attitude towards his players affects things too. He's been known as being a bit stand-offish and I don't think you can afford to be like that in the modern game. Most players seem to want their egos stroked and know that they hold all the cards these days, and I don't think Rafa is the type to do so.

[Vegeta]

Yeah, Rafa is not the best man manager, which is why someone like Ancelotti, who Rafa was facing in Champions League finals nearly 20 years ago, is still at the top while Rafa is where he is.

[Caligula?]

I wonder if his attitude towards his players affects things too. He's been known as being a bit stand-offish and I don't think you can afford to be like that in the modern game. Most players seem to want their egos stroked and know that they hold all the cards these days, and I don't think Rafa is the type to do so.

It could be. But I think the likes of him and Mourinho - and others too - have just been left behind tactically. The game has changed.

[oojason]

Celta Vigo [1] - 1 Barcelona; Iago Aspas goal on 47' - https://streamin.one/v/1f94ae03 & https://twitter.com/tekkersfoot/status/1758924497179054369

Deserved that - some good early play and chances from Celta (yet again)


Celta Vigo 1 - [2] Barcelona; Lewandowski 90+8' (penalty) - https://streamin.one/v/0605a717 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1758939510849634536

[Ray K]

The mandatory Barcelona penalty in the 7th minute of injury time most useful to them today.

[BoRed]

The mandatory Barcelona penalty in the 7th minute of injury time most useful to them today.

The most predictable ending ever. Shockingly stupid from both the defender and the goalkeeper. The keeper came off his line two early for the retake, too, Lewandowski could have missed five times, he'd have got a sixth chance thanks to this keeper.

Celta could have easily won this game, but people will still blame Rafa.

[Eeyore]

That was farcical the keeper is only off his line because Lewa completely stops his run and dummies the penalty.

[rushyman]

The mandatory Barcelona penalty in the 7th minute of injury time most useful to them today.

If you don't get a pen for that you're never getting one 😂

[Syntexity]

That was farcical the keeper is only off his line because Lewa completely stops his run and dummies the penalty.

He doesnt completely stop though, he is still moving forward the whole time. Its the same tenhnique Jorginho and Fernandes uses only he slowed it down as much as he can without violating the rules. If he was breaking any rules he would have been stopped a long time ago as this is what he does every time. Its a bit weird for him to bother with this technique  given how good he is at striking the ball with precision and power. Anyway, all the goalie had to do was keep one foot on his line but he went early. I am sure he has been told and shown pens by his opposition, and he even went off the line for the second one.

Honestly, keepers have been allowed so much up the years when it comes to out-psyching players, moving a long way out from the line. Its good they are finally held to the rules as well. Personally feel its ok to try and feign the keeper as the penalty taker always has a worse job than the goalie given he also has to overcome the pressure of being the one to blame if he misses.

[oojason]

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Cadiz 2 - 2 Celta Vigo : League Match 26 : 1pm kick off (and something to do whilst waiting for our game) : live on La Liga TV and ViaPLay Sports 1 in the UK...


Cadiz XI: Guita; Manquillo, Starfelt, Unai Núñez, Manu Sánchez; Allende, Tapia, Beltrán, Luca de la Torre; Aspas, Larsen.
Celta XI: Ledesma; Iza, Chust, Meré, Javi Hdez; Sobrino, Alcaraz, Escalante, Robert; Maxi Gómez, Juanmi.


Cadiz 0 - [1] Celta Vigo; Iago Aspas goal on 11' - https://streamin.one/v/f6b00222 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1761742106178044106
Cadiz 0 - [2] Celta Vigo; Williot Swedberg 58' - https://streamin.one/v/bc16f495 & https://twitter.com/FootyBanks/status/1761759249393188986
Cadiz [1] - 2 Celta Vigo; Juanmi 67' - https://streamin.one/v/4fa2878a & https://twitter.com/FootColic/status/1761760048466776467
Cadiz [2] - 2 Celta Vigo; Darwin Machis 90+10' - https://streamin.one/v/9bffa5d4 & https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1761774981266948400


3 minute highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jUa5Uwpn_Y

[Terry de Niro]

What will Rafa do when this gig is up?
I hope he puts his feet up and enjoys his life with his family around him.

Like a lot of posters have said, modern football is not his style.
He's far too stubborn to change that.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

What will Rafa do when this gig is up?
I hope he puts his feet up and enjoys his life with his family around him.

Like a lot of posters have said, modern football is not his style.
He's far too stubborn to change that.

He would make a great DOf.

[rob1966]

He would make a great DOf.

With Xabi as manager? Wonder where he could go?