Match Preview : Celta Vigo VS Barça- La Liga

Tonight marks the final game of ours until, yet another, international break. It’s been a disappointing couple of weeks to be honest. Performances haven’t been anywhere near good enough and we are really struggling to find ourselves. To find the form we were at last season. It’s been a difficult period for us, and tonight is going to be one of those nights. At 9pm local time, live from Balaidos, it’s Barça up against Celta Vigo.

It’s notoriously always a difficult trip for us to make, and what makes it even more nerve wracking is the form of both teams. As for ourselves, we really aren’t coming into the game with a lot of confidence. We’re still missing key players due to injury, with even more being questioned. Celta on the other hand are probably feeling a lot better about themselves. Unbeaten in their last 8 games, with a fresh young team. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us, there’s no doubt about that.

Something needs to change:

Now usually at this time in the preview, we’d be looking at our opponent in a little more detail. But for this game, we’re going to look at it from a different angle. Celta are and always have been one of those bogey teams for us. Especially away at Balaidos. Not only do Celta have quite a few familiar faces in their squad, including Mingueza, Marcos Alonso and Ferran Jutgla. All of which have played for Barça, but of course they have Iago Aspas. A man who finds it difficult to turn up against anyone else, but when we rock up to town, he suddenly channels his inner Lionel Messi and has the game of his life.

Celta will carry a threat, which is why it brings me on to us as a team. Something needs to change in the way we’re playing and setting up to stop the trend. Yes, we’re scoring goals, but it’s not as free flowing as it was last season. And the most concerning thing for Barç, is how easy it is for any team to breach our defence. When there’s no pressure on the ball, playing this high line is a suicide mission. You’re setting yourself up to struggle from the very first minute. And for now, whilst we’re still recovering important players from injury, something has to change for us to stop being so easy to play against. Celta tonight, will be a good test for us. And a very challenging one too.

Predicted lineup:

Coming into the game, we are still going to be without Raphinha, Joan Garcia, Gavi, Christensen and Pedri. Now, Kounde looks set to join that list too after being absent from training yesterday. We are down to our bare bones, especially in defence. So it pretty much picks itself. In midfield, that’s the same.

Unless Bernal starts, or we give an opportunity to Dro or someone completely new, it looks like it will be the same midfield that lined up in Belgium just the other day. In attack, well that’s pretty much the same story too. Lewandowski is fully fit now, and to be honest, I’d be looking at starting him tonight. Dropping Ferran to the bench.