Celta Vigo v Barcelona: preview and possible line-ups

Cecilia 6 years ago 6.8k |

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Celta Vigo v Barcelona: preview and possible line-ups. EFE

We look ahead to this Saturday's La Liga clash, where Barcelona play their first La Liga match since being crowned champions when they make the trip to Celta Vigo on Saturday evening, who are not far from relegation!

Team News

Barcelona

Given their poor recent record at Balaidos, Ernesto will be pleased that his side have wrapped up the title with three matches to spare. Barca required star man Messi to come off the bench and get the job done in last weekend's home meeting, but he will probably not be making an appearance this time around. The coach will no doubt be making some changes to his squad, both as a way to rest his star players and to give younger players more minutes, and win the Liga title in their pocket, he isn't risking much here. Valverde will know the importance of momentum, however, and his men certainly have that on their side thanks to five wins on the spin in all competitions. As we have become used to in recent times, though, Barcelona cannot take anything for granted at Balaidos.

May 3, 2019

Celta Vigo

The Celts have managed to find their feet at the business end of the season, thanks to a far more positive run of one defeat in their last seven games, with that solitary loss coming against Atletico Madrid three weeks ago. Back-to-back away draws against Espanyol and Leganes leaves Fran Escriba's men 15th in the table and just two points above Real Valladolid in the final relegation spot, which they will be trying to get away from Saturday. With a meeting against 19th-placed Rayo Vallecano to come on the final day, Celta could yet be demoted to the second tier for the first time since 2012. Aditionally, they may be without Iago Aspas as the striker suffered a shoulder injury against Leganes, which would be a massive blow for the hosts as Aspas has been involved in nine of their last 10 goals.

May 3, 2019

Manager's thoughts

Fran Escriba

"It's to be expected that certain players won't come. It is logical that they want to reserve and manage the effort, but I'm sure that we are going to see a good Barça".

"It is the best time to play against them especially because we are well. Barça continues being a great team although they lack some players but we believe that we are capable of beating any rival".

"It's a very important game for us, the importance they can give us doesn't matter. We have to make it clear from the minute one that the match is vital for us".

Ernesto Valverde

"The team are going to go out very motivated and with the intention of winning. Don't have any doubt about it. There will be changes to the starting eleven, because they are necessary"

About Arthur: "It's true that he's been suffering from some physical problems for a long time. But he's fine for Vigo and we'll see if he participates or not."

To the teams that play are playing for a specific objective, they can take care of their game, and we will go to Vigo to compete. Something similar happened on the last day of the Champions League and, against Tottenham, we competed"