Barcelona has always had a tough time facing off against Celta Vigo. In fact, in their last five encounters, the Blaugranas have lost three and drawn one. Saturday night's match was no exception, as Barcelona struggled to create meaningful chances and Celta Vigo took the lead.
But just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Barcelona staged an incredible comeback. Joao Felix and Robert Lewandowski joined forces to narrow the deficit to one goal, and Lewandowski netted another to level the score. In the final minutes of regulation time, Joao Cancelo made a stunning run into the Celta area and scored the winning goal.
Let's take a closer look at the performances of the Barcelona players in this thrilling encounter.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 8
The German goalkeeper had a solid performance, making five saves from inside the box. He couldn't be blamed for the goal conceded and showed why he is one of the best in the business.
Joao Cancelo: 9
Despite some defensive deficiencies, Cancelo was creative in the final third. His assist for Barcelona's equalizer to Lewandowski was nothing short of perfection. And in the dying minutes of the game, he made a remarkable run and scored the winning goal.
Jules Kounde: 7
Kounde continued his fine form with a calm and composed performance. He led the defense effectively and was excellent in his distribution.
Andreas Christensen: 6
Christensen had a shaky display, showing signs of nerves throughout the game. However, he completed 97% of his passes and played cautiously after receiving an early yellow card.
Marcos Alonso: 6
While Alonso was involved in the attacking play, he left the flank vulnerable defensively. He was eventually substituted at halftime for a change in the system.
Frenkie de Jong: 6.5
De Jong, despite rumors of being rested, played confidently on the ball but was caught on the break by Celta Vigo. Unfortunately, he limped off the field after just over 35 minutes of action.
Oriol Romeu: 7
Romeu, the unsung hero in midfield, made a significant impact without seeking much attention. His clearance helped Barcelona remain just a goal down at halftime, but he was substituted in the second half for tactical reasons.
Ilkay Gundogan: 8
Gundogan was a charm on the ball, with silky-smooth skills and key passes even in challenging situations. He did not put a foot wrong throughout the 90 minutes.
Ferran Torres: 6.5
Torres had a relatively quiet first half but had the best chance of the second half. Unfortunately, he couldn't convert it into a goal. Nevertheless, he had a decent performance with two shots on target, two successful dribbles, and a blocked shot.
Robert Lewandowski: 9
Lewandowski was isolated by Celta Vigo's defense but came up clutch when the team needed him the most. He scored a tough chance late in the game and leveled the score minutes later.
Joao Felix: 8
Felix struggled against Celta Vigo's low-block defense but improved in the second half with his link-up play. His lobbed pass over the defense provided a lovely assist for Lewandowski's goal.
Substitutes
Gavi: 7
Gavi was forced to join the game early and despite receiving a yellow card, he brought energy and verticality to the team's attacks. He also provided the assist for the winning goal.
Ronald Araujo: 6
Araujo made his return from injury, but his positioning was off for Celta Vigo's second goal. However, he played a crucial role in the defense.
Lamine Yamal: 6
Yamal had limited involvement on the ball during his time on the field.
Raphinha: 6.5
Raphinha came on as a substitute and did well to keep the opposition's player on his feet.
Alejandro Balde: 7
Balde played an essential role in creating more threat down the left flank and contributed to the team's third goal.
Impressive performance by Barcelona against Celta Vigo.
Barcelona showed great determination and resilience to secure the victory against Celta Vigo. Despite the challenges faced, the players displayed their skill and teamwork, ultimately pulling off an exciting comeback. It was a memorable match that showcased the fighting spirit of the team.
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