Qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League despite its defeat against Borussia Dortmund this week (1-3), FC Barcelona found its lair of Montjuïc, where it welcomed Celta de Vigo. For the Catalans, the goal was clear: temporarily take seven points ahead of Real Madrid. Opposite, the Galicians wanted to bounce back after their defeat against Espanyol last week (0-2) and continue their final sprint in the Europa League race in the best way. On the Catalan side, Hansi Flick opted for its traditional 4-3-3, leaving Lamine Yamal at rest, replaced by Ferran Torres. In central defense, Iñigo Martínez was preferred to Ronald Araújo, also left on the bench, while Pedri found his place in the midfield. For visitors, Claudio Giráldez aligned a 4-1-4-1, with an offensive sector animated by Iglesias, alone in a point, as well as Swedberg and Durán on the left and right wings. Iago Aspas started on the bench.
The game started strong for the Blaugranas. Fermín López focused back for Robert Lewandowski, whose shot was brushing the frame (2nd). The locals monopolized the ball and quickly opened the scoring. Ferran Torres inherited full axis leather. Not attacked, the Spaniard turned around, advanced to the surface and laid down a cross shot from the right which defeated Guaita (1-0, 12th). But to everyone's surprise, this advantage was going to be short -lived. A few moments later, Durán, launched on the right side, focused on the ground towards the penalty spot. Szczęsny was completely missing its outing, leaving the ball spinning to Iglesias, which had only to push it to the bottom (1-1, 15th). If Barça continued to largely preserve possession, Celta remained dangerous. Once again alerted to the right side, Durán made a center similar to that of equalization. This time, Szczęsny managed to touch the ball, but Koundé mixed the brushes when freeing, achieving it as best they can (23rd).
The perfect start of the Barcelona was therefore tarnished by this immediate reaction. Their possession, although very clear, became more and more sterile, and the opportunities were rare. A center of Gerard Martín had the Galician defense shush, but the ball crossed the surface without finding a taker (34th). Powerful in the game, the Flick players recovered from the set kicks. After a fault on Pedri at the entrance to the surface, Raphinha was trying his luck, but his shot passed slightly above. Discreet until then, Lewandowski has been arguing a volley from an eccentric position, but the ball was spun in the stands (42nd). Barça played on a false rhythm and was even scary. Moriba tried a powerful strike, repelled by Szczęsny on Losada, also frustrated by the Polish goalkeeper. At the end of a first half dominated by abutments without ideas, Mr. Melero López returned the twenty-two actors to the locker room on a score of 1-1.
Celta air conditioning Montjuïc, Barça overthrows everything!
The second period resumed on the same bases. Barcelona kept the ball without being dangerous, while Celta got the first opportunity. Durán made a small number on the left side following a counter, eliminated Koundé and sent a center-shot that Szczęsny pushed (50th). Fermín López replied with a shot captured by Guaita. But on the following action, on a new transition, Iglesias took advantage of a boulevard on the right side. The center-forward sank into the surface and beat Szczęsny with a crossed shot of the right which was housed in the small net (1-2, 52nd). At the edge of the rupture, the Catalans were close to seeing Iglesias offer a triplet, still against, but Szczęsny interposed (59th). It was only awarded. The Galician striker, still launched in depth, took advantage of a Catalan defense far too high to take the ball and deceive Szczęsny of a little dive (1-3, 62nd), in a dumbfounded stadium. But hope was quickly reborn thanks to Dani Olmo. The Spaniard, just entered, was found by Raphinha with a superb outside of the foot. He was beating Guaita with a left shot and reduced the gap (2-3, 65th).
Completely relaunched, the blaugranas supported. Lamine Yamal, also out of the bench, focused from the left to Raphinha, who returned to the head to equalize (3-3, 68th). The match became crazy. González went alone to the goal, but Iñigo Martínez arose in extremis to take off the ball (71st). Olmo was then very close to giving the advantage to his family, but his external strike of the right was rasted with the post (73rd). This frantic pace cost Robert Lewandowski, injured, forced to give way to Gavi (78th). The young midfielder was immediately pointed out, placing a head on Raphinha corner which passed a few centimeters from the post (84th). If Barça pushed, Vigo remained threatening. López Dribbi szczęsny and served Mingueza, whose head was brushed against the bar (90th). In an end of the match as crazy as they are disjointed, Dani Olmo suffered a charge in the area. Mr. Melero López was first playing, before granting a penalty after intervention by the Var. Raphinha transformed it with composure (4-3, 90th+7). After a few additional minutes, the score was no longer moving. FC Barcelona temporarily takes seven points ahead of Real Madrid, which will receive the Athletic Bilbao this Sunday evening (9 p.m.).
