Celta Vigo 1-0 PAOK Player Ratings: Os Celestes March Into Round of 16 After 1-0 Triumph

A tense Europa League clash at Estadio de Balaídos saw Celta de Vigo edge out PAOK with a slender 1-0 victory. The match was a cagey affair for long periods, defined by dogged defending and midfield battles. From our perspective, it was clear that one moment of quality would decide this tie. And that moment came from Williot Swedberg in the second half.

The first half was largely forgettable. Both teams seemed to be sizing each other up with few clear-cut opportunities. Celta de Vigo controlled the possession as we expected, but they struggled to break down a well-organized PAOK defense. What stood out to us was the visitors' resilience; they were frustrating the home side, who had to resort to shots from distance.

The game desperately needed a spark, and it was Williot Swedberg who provided it, latching onto a clever pass from Borja Iglesias to score the game's only goal just after the hour mark. After that, Celta de Vigo looked more comfortable, managing the game well to see out the win. It wasn't a classic match, but a professional job done by the Spanish side. Here are Celta Vigo vs PAOK player ratings.

Celta Vigo Player Ratings vs PAOK

Check out the Celta Vigo player ratings against PAOK.

Goalkeeper

Ionuț Radu - 6.5: We noticed he had a very quiet evening between the sticks. He wasn't tested with any difficult saves. His distribution was clean, and he looked composed when called upon. A straightforward but faultless performance.

Defenders

Carl Starfelt - 7.5: A colossal performance at the heart of the defense. His pass accuracy of 98% was just sublime, showing incredible composure. He won his duels and made three important clearances. He looked unbeatable at times.

Marcos Alonso - 7.0: A typical Marcos Alonso display. He was heavily involved in the build-up play, constantly offering an outlet on the left. However, his final ball was sometimes lacking. Did his defensive duties diligently before being substituted.

Javi Rodríguez - 8.0: An outstanding defensive masterclass. He was dominant, winning nearly all his duels and making four crucial tackles. His passing was crisp and forward-thinking. A really impressive showing from the young defender.

Midfielders

Sergio Carreira - 7.0: A workhorse performance on the right flank. He drew an impressive four fouls, highlighting his ability to drive at the opposition. Recovered the ball eight times, though he was a bit loose in possession occasionally.

Ilaix Moriba - 6.0: Only played the first half and it felt like the game passed him by. He was neat on the ball but didn't offer much penetration. Picked up a needless yellow card before being hooked at halftime. A disappointing outing.

Matías Vecino - 6.5: A very mixed performance from our perspective. He was a physical presence in midfield and wasn't afraid to shoot but his finishing was wayward. Committed four fouls which broke up play, but not always in a good way.

Javi Rueda - 7.5: The creative hub for his team. He created three key chances and always looked to make something happen. His willingness to take players on was refreshing, even if his own shooting was a bit off. A real livewire.

Forwards

Borja Iglesias - 8.0: What a crucial contribution. His assist for the goal was perfectly weighted and showed great awareness. He led the line well, holding up play and linking with his midfielders. A selfless and effective display.

Iago Aspas - 7.0: The captain was a threat before his substitution. He created a couple of chances and forced a good save from the keeper. You could see his football brain ticking, always looking for that killer pass. The team missed his quality after he went off.

Williot Swedberg - 8.5: The highest-rated player and our man of the match. He took his goal brilliantly, a clinical finish that decided the game. Beyond the goal, his movement was a constant problem for the PAOK defense. A star performance.

Substitutes

Miguel Román - 6.5: Came on at halftime and helped Celta maintain control in midfield. Looked comfortable in possession.

Ferran Jutglà - 6.0: Replaced Iago Aspas but didn't have the same impact. Worked hard but the final product wasn't there.

Fer López - N/A: Not enough time to make a significant impact.

Jones El Abdellaoui - N/A: Missed a late chance but was only on the pitch for a short spell.

Carlos Domínguez - N/A: Brought on to see the game out.

Manager

C. Giráldez González - 7.5: His game plan worked perfectly. His team dominated the ball and showed patience to break down a stubborn opponent. The halftime substitution was vindicated, and his side managed the lead professionally. A solid tactical win.

PAOK Player Ratings vs Celta de Vigo

Here are the PAOK player ratings vs Celta de Vigo.

Goalkeeper

Antonis Tsiftsis - 7.0: Couldn't do anything about the goal but made two excellent saves, especially the one to deny Iago Aspas. He kept his team in the game for as long as possible. A reliable performance under pressure.

Defenders

Jonjoe Kenny - 5.5: It was a tough night for the right-back. He struggled to contain Celta's attacks down his flank and offered very little going forward. Lost possession too easily at times. A night to forget.

Giannis Michailidis - 7.5: A warrior at the back for PAOK. He made a staggering six clearances and was constantly in the right place to block shots and intercept passes. He did not deserve to be on the losing side.

Tomasz Kedziora - 6.5: The captain organized his defense well for most of the game. He was solid in the air and made some important clearances. A steady, if unspectacular, performance.

Abdul Rahman Baba - 5.5: A very quiet and ineffective game. He seemed to be a passenger. He was rarely involved in attacks and was not particularly tested in defense either.

Midfielders

Christos Zafeiris - 6.5: One of the few PAOK players who tried to be proactive. He attempted several dribbles and put in a few crosses but the quality wasn't always there. Worked hard but with little reward.

Alessandro Bianco - 5.0: Really struggled to get a foothold in the game. He lost the majority of his duels and gave the ball away cheaply. It was no surprise to see him substituted after 64 minutes.

Magomed Ozdoev - 6.5: His stats show ten ball recoveries which is impressive. He worked tirelessly to break up play. However he was less effective with the ball at his feet, often slowing down attacks.

Jorge Sánchez - 7.0: A battling display. He won eight of his thirteen duels and made three successful tackles. Showed real fight and determination in a midfield that was second-best for long spells.

Dimitrios Chatsidis - 6.0: He created two chances but was extremely wasteful, losing possession 12 times. Flitted in and out of the game before being subbed. A frustrating performance to watch.

Forwards

Georgios Giakoumakis - 6.0: A thankless task for the lone striker. He was isolated and starved of any real service. He fought for every ball but had only one half-chance to his name. You have to feel for him.

Substitutes

Mady Camara - 6.0: Brought some energy but couldn't change the course of the match.

Greg Taylor - N/A: Had little time to make an impact.

Alexander Jeremejeff - N/A: Had one shot blocked, but that was about it.

Manager

R. Lucescu - 6.0: His team was set up to be defensive and hard to beat, which worked for an hour. However, they offered almost nothing in an attacking sense. Once they went behind, there seemed to be no Plan B to get back into the match.