New look Barca secure Celta point

Celta battled hard after twice going behind, and indeed with time running out they could have won the game. Iago Aspas had tied it up minutes earlier with his fifth goal in as many games against the Catalan side.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez started on the bench, while Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta did not travel with the team to Galicia. Valverde seemingly responding to criticism that he doesn’t rotate his team enough by rotating everybody at once ahead of the weekend’s Copa del Rey final.

Yerry Mina was given only his second start at the back along side the rarely-seen Thomas Vermaelen, and there was still room for Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Demeble up front. Indeed, Dembele will be pleased with his night’s work as he scored his first La Liga goal.

Celta lost the ball in their own half and Coutinho and Paco Alcacer combined to see the ball arrive at Dembele’s feet. The Frenchman wasted no time, volleying on his left foot with a first time shot the nestled in the far corner.

 

17 April 2018

The teams went into the break level however after Celta found the back of the net with the last kick of the half. Jonny converted from close range after good work from the lively Maxi Gomez.

After play resumed it became evident that more goals would be forthcoming. Barcelona’s defence was more vulnerable than usual and Celta smelled blood. But it was the ‘Blaugrana’ who retook the lead. Four minutes after Lionel Messi was introduced they were 2-1 up, not that the Argentine was particularly involved.

Semedo’s cross found Paulinho in the box and a combination of touches from the Brazilian and Paco Alcacer saw the ball roll into the far corner.

Celta were given a lifeline minutes later. Sergi Roberto came on at the same time as Messi but his cameo was a brief one after he saw red for a professional foul. Aspas got the wrong side of him and the referee had an easy decision to make after Roberto attempted to rugby tackle the Spain international.

With 20 minutes to play against ten men the Galicians had their tails up but the goal did not come until eight minutes from time. Ter Stegen parried a cross straight into the oncoming Aspas and it found its way in off his thigh, chest and arm.

There was still time for Lucas Digne to clear an effort off the line but the final whistle did blow with the scores even. Barcelona escaped from a ground where they have lost on the last two attempts with their record intact.

 

17 April 2018

Celta gain a point that will be pretty inconsequential to them with neither relegation nor European qualification a real possibility. Barca will now turn all eyes to Madrid, where they face Sevilla at the Wanda for their first piece of silverware this season.