Barcelona vs Celta: A look at their past encounters

This Thursday, Barcelona kick off their second match of the campaign, when they go up against Celta de Vigo. The match is expected to take place at the Estadio de Balaidos at 8:30 CET, as the blaugranas look to capitalise on their second victory of the season. In this article, we will be taking a look at the past encounters between these two clubs, with some great matches on the list.

Barcelona 4-1 Celta de Vigo. 9/11/19

This match was a fairly easy match for the blaugranas and then La Liga Champions . Barcelona opened the scoring in the 23^rd minute, in which a handball inside the box committed by Joseph Aidoo resulted in a penalty. Messi converted the penalty into a goal, starting the game in the right direction. About 20 minutes later however, coming from a foul conceded in Barca’s half, Lucas Olaza converted his free kick into a goal. The shot was far too powerful for Ter Stegen to save, as the “Celticos” brought the came back to 1-1. Minutes later, another free kick was conceded, but this time committed by Celta. On the stroke of half-time, Lionel Messi converted this free-kick into a goal, closing the first half with a 2-1 score.

Come the second half, Messi scored yet another free-kick goal, completing the hattrick on the night. His shot was once again far too powerful for the goalkeeper, with a finesse making its way into the top right corner. In the 85^th minute, an unlikely scorer in Busquets then closed the match at 4-1. A shot outside the box, had made its way into the bottom left corner; once again impossible for the keeper to save.

Celta de Vigo 4-3 Barcelona. 2/10/16

This game was much closer however, with ‘Los Celticos’ taking home a very well earned victory. Opening up in the 21^st minute, Pione Sisto scored a fairly easy goal. After a mistake pass made by Ter Stegen, Sisto was there to capitalise, bringing the game to an early 1-0. A few minutes later however, Spanish International Iago Aspas converted his shot into a goal. A beautiful run emanating from about the half way line, gave Aspas all this freedom and space. His left foot shot from the left side of the box, proved too strong for the young German keeper, as the ball rolled back into the bottom corner. Moments later, Celta scored their third. Aspas had caused panic by running in behind the Barcelona defence and forcing Mathieu to divert Daniel Wass’ cross into his own net.

In the 57^th minute, the blaugranas finally got on the scoring board. Celta’s complacency in the corner, had left Pique very open and unmarked; consequently converting his header into a goal. In the 63^rd minute, it was looking likely that the Catalans were getting back into the match. A penalty created by Pablo Hernandez, had meant that Neymar brought the game back to 3-2. As Lionel Messi was not playing, it was up to Neymar to take responsibility for these chances. As Barcelona had started gaining control of the game, another mistake made by Ter Stegen however, had given Celta the lead with 4-2. This did not last long, before Pique scored his second goal in the 86^th minute; ending the game 4-3.

Celta de Vigo 2-2 Barcelona 30/03/13

The game started quite slow, with no goals coming in the first half hour. Despite early dominance by the home team, many shots were saved by the then second goalkeeper Pinto, who generally had a very good game. It was not until the 38^th minute however, where an intense attack involving three Celta players made it 1-0. An assist made by Orellana, to Natxo Insa had converted the game into a winning start, with Los Celticos dominating. In the 42^nd minute however, Barcelona brought it back to 1-1. A beautiful cross by Lionel Messi, had allowed Cristian Tello to convert his right foot shot into a goal. This was too far much for Varas, who had failed to make this crucial save.

In the second half, Barcelona controlled the game a bit more. They were creating more possession, getting into dangerous spaces, and were getting many chances to score. This came to fruition in the 72^nd minute, where an assist by Tello to Messi brought the game to 2-1. With Barcelona looking dominant, a surprise attack from Celta however, levelled the game. A cross by Orellana, had allowed Oubina to get into space. With this freedom, his header was therefore converted into a goal, bringing the match into a close at 2-2.