We Had 20-25 Minutes in the Second Half of Very Good Play to Be Able to Kill Them Off; We Didn't Get the Final Pass Right

Celta Vigo coach Claudio Giráldez expressed satisfaction with his team's La Liga season opener, a tactical match that left him with positive feelings as his side grew into the game as minutes passed. "We always want more. I think we had moments to win the match, and so did they, but I believe the result is fair, with alternating phases of dominance, he said.

"It was a very tactical match; as a coach I enjoyed it a lot, I don't know if the people outside enjoyed it the same, but it's a pleasure to play against a team that puts you in these difficulties, that has so much tactical variability, that has so many resources within the eleven on the pitch and with the substitutions. Giráldez was pleased with the overall feeling from the squad. "Happy with the team's feeling, with how we matured and imposed our way of playing throughout the match.

We had 20-25 minutes in the second half of very good play to be able to kill them off; we didn't get the final pass right. It's true the pitch was already a bit drier and at this stage it's complicated to be more precise. Of the three seasons I've started at Celta, this is the best first League match we've done, in my opinion.

It's a shame we couldn't win when we had matured it, but it's also true we could have lost it. On the pre-match plan, he explained: "The idea was to slow down their momentum a bit, especially with the lineup they put out, which we understood would be very deep with four players inside, able to reach the space. It cost us to adjust in their build-up play, especially in the first half.

Then I think we improved it with our system change. We knew the substitutions would then give us depth, and it's a shame we didn't find Pablo Durán, Rueda and Williot in situations we had to run and launch. Happy with the unity I've seen from the team and this is the way.

A point at Mestalla has to be savored, knowing we had options to win it. Asked whether André Almeida will be a Celta player, Giráldez declined to comment: I have no news on that; as far as I know he is a Valencia player. I greeted Almeida like all the players of the rival team, especially those we've faced for more years.

I greeted other players more. Respecting the situations and the times.