Ionuț Radu, without a goal conceded, but small notes in the Madrid newspapers » The explanation of a paradox
Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 07:35 / Updated Tuesday, January 13, 2026 07:35
Ionuț Radu, a full-time player at Celta Vigo, kept a clean sheet in the away game against Sevilla, won by his team 1-0.
Although he ticked off the 5th match of this season in which he does not concede a goal in La Liga, Ionuț Radu received low ratings in the Madrid dailies. Surprisingly, Marca rated it with only one star (poor), and AS gave it an “ace”. Both normally mean “weak”. Only in the Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo the qualification of the Celta goalkeeper was 2 stars (good).
The Spanish journalists had no reason to give a higher grade to Ionuț Radu
The explanation of the small notes? Radu was hardly requested by Sevilla's attackers, so the journalists had nothing to give him a higher grade. Daily AS reports that “lacking quality in attack, with Isaac Romero in disastrous form, Almeyda's team had trouble putting Radu in trouble, despite Oso's efforts with some good runs and crosses down the left flank”.
Busier was his Sevilla counterpart Vlachodimos, who had a few saves before being beaten from a penalty awarded after Oso tripped Ilaix in the 16-yard box (88 min). Marcos Alonso converted safely, for 0-1, final score.
Ionuț Radu won the duel with Vlachodimos almost without getting his shirt dirty
In the preview of the game, the daily newspaper Marca had designated the duel between the goalkeepers, Vlachodimos – Radu, as one of the keys for the points at stake: “It's the goalies who score points. The Greek, on loan at Sevilla, is Cordón's best signing this season. Meanwhile, the Romanian has become a fan favorite. Two walls”.
The goalkeeper of the Romanian national team won the dispute with Vlachodimos almost without dirtying his shirt. It was the Sevilla players who helped him they troubled him with only one dangerous shot on goal, and that at the end.
