Celta: Yoel; Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Fontàs,
Toni; Oubiña, Alex López (Madinda 89'); Augusto Fernández,
Krohn Dehli, Nolito (Rafinha 63'); Charles (David Rodríguez 83').
4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Javi López,
Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Fuentes; Víctor Sánchez, David
López (Abraham 72'); Stuani, Pizzi (Thievy 59'), Simao; Sergio
García (Raúl Rodríguez 79'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 43. Alex López. Controlled Krohn-Dehli
pass and turned shot past keeper.
2-0. 46. Charles. Guided header down past
Casilla from Krohn-Dehli cross.
2-1. 53. Víctor Sánchez.
First time shot past Yoel after Sergio García tackled.
2-2. 75.
Thievy. Ran on to Javi López pass and struck angled shot past Yoel.
Yellow cards: Víctor Sánchez 12', Augusto 31', Fuentes 44', Alex López 45', Simao 56', Rafinha 83', David Rodríguez 86', Javi López 87'.
Celta only just managed to stay up last year thanks to a narrow victory over Espanyol on the last day, and the two sides met again on the opening weekend of the new season, honours shared this time in a 2-2 draw. Luis Enrique's side went two up with goals either side of half time by Alex López and Charles, both from Krohn-Dehli assists. Víctor Sánchez got one back for the visitors after a good run by Sergio García, but only a string of saves by Casilla kept out Krohn-Dehli, Augusto and Rafinha after that. With a quarter of an hour to go though substitute Thievy picked up a Javi López through ball on a quick counter-attack to level the scores, and Casilla produced the stop of the night near the end from Cabral's header to save a point for the Catalans.