Giráldez: "We must reflect, the level we showed today is not acceptable"

Celta manager Giráldez criticised his side's defensive display after losing at Rayo Vallecano, saying the performance level was unacceptable.

Claudio Giráldez was disappointed with Celta's defensive performance following their defeat at Rayo Vallecano. The manager acknowledged the loss was deserved, stating: "We defended poorly and when you do that you concede three goals, and it could have been four if Radu hadn't made a great save. We lost a lot of direct play situations and duels, and we allowed Rayo to run, which is what they do best, so defensively we were very poor."

Giráldez took responsibility for the result, emphasizing the need for reflection. "We had a tough defeat and we must reflect on it and the level we gave today is not acceptable. I am the first responsible, obviously. When you don't go with the intensity required in a professional match, they end up creating danger for you."

Despite the setback, Giráldez noted some positives: this was Celta's first away league loss in five matches, and they had gone seven league games without defeat before this result.