News
JUE 14.04.2016
The ball is laid out to the left-hand corner of the box for Nolito, who feints once, feints twice, gets away from his defender and fires the ball past the helpless goalkeeper at his near post to seal all three points for Berizzo's side.
This was the Nolito strike which - just like so many others we've seen him score in the Liga BBVA - claimed maximum points for Celta at El Molinon. These three points have enabled the Vigo outfit to tighten their grip on fifth spot and move a step closer to sealing a Europa League berth for next term.
Contribution to the points tally
Looking at the stats, there's no hiding the fact that Nolito's goals play a vital role in securing points for Celta. Since his return to the starting XI, the Celestes have registered five wins, two draws and a solitary defeat at the Bernabeu.
Of the 17 points picked up in these games, Nolito has had a direct hand in seven of them: he struck the winner at Getafe, claimed a draw for his side in the Galician derby and his goal separated the sides in Gijon. However, the Spain international forward's contribution is not just limited to goals, the 29-year-old was also involved as Fabian Orellana and John Guidetti combined brilliantly to give the visitors the lead at Mestalla and in the home clash against Real Sociedad he laid on an inch-perfect pass for Iago Aspas to score what turned out to be the winner.
Two goals short of his best return
His strike against R.Sporting brought his total for the season to 11, which is just three shy of his best-ever Liga BBVA goals tally (the 14 he chalked up in the 2013/14 season). What's more, it must not be forgotten that on account of his injury, he has managed to hit double figures in far fewer appearances this time round. All of this just goes to show what an important role Nolito plays for a Celta side whose best form coincides with his presence out on the field of play.
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