✍️ Summary of the game:
If we are being honest, Barca probably didn't deserve to win this match.
The Catalans were superior in the first half, with Pedri and Gavi running the show in midfield. The former scored into an empty net early one, and Xavi's men had a few other half-chances to double the lead later on. Celta remained silent.
After the break, though, things went south for Barca. The Galicians showed more intensity, kept possession and pressed high. We couldn't withstand the aggression and allowed multiple chances.
Thankfully, Ter Stegen pulled through and saved the day. The goalkeeper saved a one-on-one against Aspas and several other shots. Luck was also on our side, as Celta's goal got ruled out for offside, although it was a close call.
⏰ Full time.
⏱️ 86-90+: Celta get a set-piece but Pique clears away the danger. Ter Stegen has to intervene again after a shot at the near post. The visitors hit the woodwork but the ref had called offside.
Barca__pictures (Twitter): "This might be the luckiest I’ve ever seen Barça I cannot believe my eyes."
NealGardner_ (Twitter): "Barça’s defensive record in La Liga is so fake, man. This is NOT a good defensive unit, full strength or not. So much is being masked by Ter Stegen going beast mode & possessional dominance."
🟨 Busquets booked
🔁 Sub: Garcia IN / Alba OUT
⏱️ 76-85': Roberto's cross at the near post is easily cleared away. Clear handball inside Celta's penalty box and no reaction from VAR again. Dembouz from outside the box but it is saved. Ter Stegen with a crucial one-on-one save against Aspas.
FCBGLories (Twitter): "What are we playing? What idea or style of playing are you trying to employ? It is an unrecognizable team. Non-existent creativity zone. A lot of names only for us to send crosses into the are that end in nothing."
tunechi505 (Reddit): "Imagine not involving your topscorer and one of the best strikers atm in your build-up play. Lewa must be bored af tonight…"
🔁 Sub: Roberto IN / Balde OUT
⏱️ 66-75: Larsen scores for Celta but it is ruled out for offside, poor defending from Pique and Balde nonetheless. Barca get the chance for a counter but Gavi is stopped with a foul.
Blayasensat (Twitter): "Very difficult minutes for Barca after the break. No ability to keep possession, losing duels, missing easy passes and with a pressing that doesn't work."
GreekCule (Twitter): "We were supposed to be stacked with talent on the wings, and we have some really good players there, but so far this season we've hardly seen any of them perform as expected. We need Dembele, Raphinha and Ferran to do more - a lot more. Ansu is obviously another story."
🔁 Subs: Fati, Dembele, De Jong IN / Ferran, Raphinha, Pedri OUT
⏱️ 56-65': Ter Stegen with a save from a tight angle, Alonso then blocks the rebound. Busquets then has to block a shot after our keeper misplaces a pass. Fati enters the box but fails to beat the last man.
asarnia (Reddit): "Xavi is insufferable with his dog shit lineups and tactics. Won't be surprised if he doesn't last the remainder of the season"
socraticjuan (Twitter): "That all started with Alba’s horrific pass into the midfield. What a fucking disaster of a footballer he is."
⏱️ 46-55': Celta on the counter but Oscar misses from inside the box. Ter Stegen dealing with back pain but is able to continue. Ferran and Lewandowski miss from good positions but Torres seems to have been off side.
inobond7 (Reddit): "October was supposed to be season-defining... Not season-ending"
MartinsFCB (Twitter): "Gonna need more goals. I don't trust this Pique/Alonso cb pair."
⏰ Second half, here we go!
📝 Here are our half-time ratings:
Impressed: Pedri 8.5, Gavi 8
Good: Raphinha 7, Busquets 7, Ferran 7, Alba 7
Decent: Balde 6.5, Ter Stegen 6.5, Pique 6, Lewandowski 6, Alonso 6.
✍️ Brief summary of the game so far:
The big surprise about this game, besides all three left-backs starting, is Pedri and Gavi switching positions in midfield. This has proven to be a good move from Xavi, as the Catalans have been superior in that are of the pitch.
Pedri has been majestic, driving the ball forward, beating players off the dribble and scoring the opener. Gavi is having a good performance as well, putting up a real fight in midfield and also helping the attack (he provided the assist).
Besides the goal, Barca had a few other opportunities to score, but the shots Raphinha and Ferran were saved. As for Celta, the visitors had a couple of dangerous approaches but nothing too big. Ter Stegen is yet to make a proper save.
⏰ Half time.
⏱️ 36-45': Raphinha goes down inside the box, the referee sees it as a dive. Corner kick for Barca but Pique's header goes over the bar.
Ohmybodboys (Reddit): "Somebody clearly paid the refs to play against us. It just can't keep happening accidentally like this"
totalBarca (Twitter): "I have not heard the name Marcos Alonso even once during this first half. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing."
⏱️ 26-35': Ter Stegen has to come out to stop a dangerous vertical attack from Celta. Larsen's volley from inside the box goes wide, but it was offside anyway.
Daguq (Reddit): "At times, Raphinha tries too much. He needs to improve his decision making."
⏱️ 18-25': Ter Stegen nearly gives away the ball but Barca's defence clears away the danger. Ferran enters the box dangerous but his shot is blocked. Alba skies a shot from a tight angle.
SlizzleDoesNotGiveA (Reddit): "Balde is too uncomfortable at RB, as much as I hate to say it playing Roberto wouldn't have hurt"
NealGardner_ (Twitter): "It would be fair to talk about the missed chances, and he should definitely be doing better, but Ferran adds a ton of value in this role, and (shooting boots aside) he’s looked fairly sharp. Lacking in confidence, but this is a start."
⚽ 17': GOAL! Pedri scores into an empty net following a poor clearance from Celta. Gavi deserves credit for the cross too.
FutbolFax (Twitter): "Pedri x Gavi will be what defines the next decade of midfield-football"
T_Peg (Reddit): "We'll take it but let's score some more and prove we're capable without a defensive error."
⏱️ 11-16': Busquets loses the ball but Celta's counter is stopped by Ter Stegen who claims the cross. Ferran's striker is saved by Marchesin.
Erty13 (Reddit): "Play in the middle for f*ck's sake, why are they only playing on the wings? Is this really f*cking Xavi coaching this team? It's like he doesn't trust Pedri and Gavi to find solutions, everything must come from the wings."
⏱️ 1-10': Good ball into the box from Alba but Ferran can't connect with it. Raphinha's powerful long-range shot is saved. Barca in control of the ball but with little danger.
GreekCule (Twitter): "Pedri and Gavi have switched positions today. That's interesting."
⏰ Kick-off!
👉 Starting XI reminder
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Balde, Pique, Alonso, Alba; Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran.
Celta XI: Marchesin; Mallo, Nunez, Aidoo, Galan; Veiga, Cervi, Beltran, Rodriguez; Larsen, Aspas.
👋Hello Cules! Welcome to Tribuna.com's live coverage of the La Liga match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo. What are your thoughts ahead of the clash? Let's hear them in the comments👇
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