Giráldez slams Balaídos kickoff time: 'Players risked their physical health today'

Claudio Giráldez left Balaídos clearly frustrated with the kickoff time chosen for Sunday's match between Celta and Málaga. The Celta coach did not hesitate to point to the extreme heat as a factor that shaped the performance, the players' physical condition and the atmosphere in the stands. In his view, the spectacle between two teams committed to playing football would have been "much better" under different weather conditions.

• Giráldez said the match was played in temperatures above 30 degrees and that the heat affected players and fans.
• The coach linked Iago Aspas' injury and Pablo Durán's heat stroke to the difficult conditions.
• Four Celta supporters required medical attention in the stands during the game.
• Celta have played six matches in three weeks, with the last two taking place in high temperatures.

Claudio Giráldez links Iago Aspas' injury to the heat at Balaídos

The Celta manager was very explicit when connecting the physical problems of two of his players to the match conditions. He said he was convinced that Iago Aspas would not have got injured in different circumstances and that Pablo Durán would have been able to play had he not suffered heat stroke. For Giráldez, this is not about making excuses but about protecting the players' physical integrity.

Players risked their physical health and their integrity today. In these conditions there is a risk of injury for the protagonists, who are the footballers. Sometimes we forget that.

The coach admitted he would have liked to win so he could speak about the issue with more authority, since when a team does not get the result these statements tend to be interpreted as a manager's complaint. Even so, he decided to speak out because he believes player welfare must come before anything else.

A packed schedule takes its toll on Celta: sixth game in three weeks

Giráldez put numbers behind the physical strain his squad is carrying. The team has played six matches in the last three weeks, and the two most recent ones have taken place with temperatures above 30 degrees. It is a sequence that, according to the coach, is far from ideal for protecting players' health or producing the best possible performance.

The heat was not only felt on the pitch. In the stands, four Celta fans needed medical attention because of the high temperatures. Giráldez pointed out that the atmosphere at Balaídos would have been completely different without those conditions and that the crowd would have enjoyed the match far more.

Málaga coach Juan Francisco Funes backs Giráldez on kickoff time criticism

Giráldez's opinion was not an isolated voice. His opposite number in the Málaga dugout, Juan Francisco Funes, agreed that the spectacle would have benefited from a different kickoff time. Both coaches shared the view that two teams with attacking intent and a desire to keep the ball were limited by an external factor that hurts the quality of play.

Celta fail to finish chances despite creating clear openings

Beyond the debate over the weather conditions, Giráldez regretted that his side could not kill the game off earlier. Celta had three one-on-one situations with the Málaga goalkeeper that could have been finished better and would have changed the outcome of the match. The coach trusts that results will come if the team keeps producing those kinds of chances.

As for the run without a win, Giráldez preferred to play down its importance. He believes things will eventually turn in their favor and that what matters now is maintaining the identity and ambition the team has been showing on the pitch, even though recent scorelines have not been rewarding them.

Frequently asked questions about Giráldez's heat complaints at Balaídos