Celta de Vigo's narrow 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in this La Liga encounter was heavily influenced by key strategic moments and efficient execution from the visiting side. Although both teams entered the second half goalless, Bilbao's tactical adjustments after the break paid dividends. The visitors’ first goal early in the second half, at the 61st minute, reflected their increased incisiveness, taking advantage of Celta's slightly disorganized defense.

The match statistics reveal a disciplined performance by Athletic Bilbao, particularly in terms of limiting fouls to just six compared to Celta de Vigo's 13. This discipline minimized the number of set-piece opportunities for Celta, crucially keeping the home side from capitalizing on dead-ball situations. Conversely, Celta's attacking play was frequently disrupted by the offside trap, falling afoul of the line three times, which stymied potential chances that could have changed the game's momentum.

Despite Celta de Vigo's increased urgency following Bilbao's successive goals, which were only ten minutes apart, they managed just three corner kicks throughout the match. Bilbao’s defense proved robust, mirroring their earlier efforts with an unbeaten offside record and a strategic defensive posture that hindered Celta's attempts at equalizing. The single goal scored by Celta was not enough to overcome Bilbao's advantage, underscoring the away team's superior execution in critical phases of the game. This efficiency in converting opportunities and maintaining composure was pivotal in securing their 2-1 victory.

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