Barcelona faced a tough test at the top of La Liga as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta Vigo at Balaídos. Despite taking a two-goal lead through goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, a late collapse following Marc Casado’s red card saw them drop valuable points.
The match extended Barcelona’s unbeaten run to 14 league games but highlighted their vulnerabilities in the absence of young star Lamine Yamal, who was sidelined due to injury. Manager Hansi Flick had challenged his team to adapt without the winger, and for most of the game, they seemed to be coping well.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing off a pass from Jules Kounde. Lewandowski then doubled the lead with his 15th league goal of the season, solidifying his position as La Liga’s top scorer.
However, Barcelona failed to see out the game as Raphinha hit the post and Celta Vigo’s Alfonso Gonzalez and Hugo Alvarez scored late goals to secure a draw. The turning point came in the 82nd minute when Casado received a second yellow card, reducing Barcelona to ten men.
Despite the disappointing result, Barcelona still hold a five-point lead over Atletico Madrid, with Real Madrid having a game in hand. Celta Vigo, sitting in 11th place, continued their impressive record against Barcelona at Balaídos.
Looking ahead, Flick will be eager to rally his team and maintain their position at the top of La Liga. The draw against Celta Vigo serves as a reminder that they cannot afford to be complacent in the title race.
Overall, Barcelona’s performance against Celta Vigo was a mix of promise and disappointment, highlighting the challenges they face as they strive to secure the La Liga title.
