And from the hand of Celticism, he was resurrected

Celtism did everything in its power. For the week and, above all, yesterday. His behavior in the hours before Celta-Barcelona was that of major events, with a city dedicated to lending a hand in the task of salvation. You couldn’t have asked for more from the crowd that turned out on Wednesday – whatever on the line or face to face – and that filled the Cidade Deportiva Afouteza, the appetizers of what was match day.

A tour of downtown Vigo from early afternoon revealed bright blue shirts everywhere, worn by people of all ages. The club plastered some streets with a meeting poster, under the motto We are Victoria and there was no shortage of subjects in street conversations. “When we won, it was with Luca,” said one fan to another on the terrace. “If we save ourselves, will you jump into the field?”, a young man asked a friend on the city bus on the way to Balaídos. Further back, another group tried to clarify with combos: “With a triple draw, we’re going down,” one announced to the others’ concern.

Celta support chants followed by “Mouriño, vaite xa”. pic.twitter.com/NZBF58IIFa

— Grada de Rio (@gradaderio) June 4, 2023

At the Plaza de América, it was first time at 18:15, but long before the fans began to gather, most in light blue, putting away their away jerseys to pay attention to the club and look for the monochromatic Balaídos. The first firecrackers and flares were heard, but above all chants of support for Celta and some “Mouriño, go now”. Just before the reception, they toured Fragoso Street.

And that welcome to Celta was one of those at that time. Of which Celticism is capable of acting in the same way if it is a European connection, as in the 2016/2017 campaign, or if it is a question of durability, as in A Nosa Reconquista, just two years later. A heavenly tide flooded the Tribune esplanade and roared to chase the team despite the obstacles of the fences, despite the nerves or anger of the previous weeks after switching from thinking about Europe to watching everything go downhill.

The arrival of Celta in Balaídos, immortalized by Óscar Vázquez (La Voz). 😠🔥💙 pic.twitter.com/ZByOoVNf9j

— Grada de Rio (@gradaderio) June 4, 2023

As soon as the welcome ended, the first fans began to approach Marcador. Others were still in advance, and some were just arriving or would do so later. But an earlier entry was requested and this was noted in the warm-up. Much more, in the National Anthem that echoed to later give way to a minute of silence for the excellent Paco Rivera, recently deceased.

From that bracket, Celticism did not have a minute of rest or peace. First, the disallowed goal against Barcelona, ​​whose invalidity was celebrated as an own goal. Later, after wailing on the brink of a heart attack for several incredible chances, the stadium collapsed and Gabri Veiga’s goal was celebrated. With Aspas, who was working as a coach from the bench, at the head of the party, he shot a run towards the man from Porriño.

More than 23,000 spectators

Even though their nerves were on the surface, the fans, who thanks to the opening of the new Marcador stand gathered 23,365 spectators, did not stop cheering the team for a moment. The stadium fell apart again when Gabri Veiga scored the second goal ten minutes into the second half with a goal that I thought was going to be a cross, but it slid into the goal and it was worth a few minutes of peace that would not have been much.

Soon after, and after singing «Gabri, yes; Mouriño, no», the physically exhausted Porriño was replaced. And from that moment on, he could be seen as a lover of the most afflicted. Trembling, without stopping moving, getting up to ask Álex Andújar, the member of the coaching staff in charge of that task, how the other games are progressing.

Today 23,365 spectators cheer Celta in Balaídos 💙 Photo: Óscar Vázquez (La Voz). https://t.co/SiJjLbJrCV pic.twitter.com/0tDYsKZw2Z

— Grada de Rio (@gradaderio) June 4, 2023

With chants of “what a Balaídos boat” already in sight, seeing the goal very close, the blow came in the form of Ansu Fati’s goal to reduce the gap. In Pucel, everything was as before, but another goal from Barcelona and Valladolid secured a result that is not to be regretted. He continued to force Celticism, suffered, and the entry of Iago Aspas was another culminating moment for Seferović: an ovation for the man who seven days ago said that, if necessary, he would play in a wheelchair.

At the end of the match, he needed, surely above any other sensation, relief. But also euphoria. Throats were still ready for loud singing of Celta’s anthem. Moments of hugs and smiles while waiting for the new year in Primera.