Robert Lewandowski's late heroics secured an unconvincing 2-1 victory for Barcelona against struggling Celta Vigo, keeping them third in La Liga standings. The win comes as a relief for Xavi Hernandez's side, who trail league leaders Real Madrid by seven points.
The match proved to be a tough encounter for Barcelona, as they struggled to break down a resilient Celta Vigo defense. Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona just before halftime, but their lead was short-lived as Iago Aspas equalized early in the second half.
Despite their dominance in possession, Barcelona found it challenging to create clear-cut chances against the determined Celta Vigo side. It wasn't until stoppage time that they were handed a lifeline when Lamine Yamal was fouled in the box, leading to a penalty. Lewandowski stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his initial attempt was saved. However, he made no mistake with the retake, securing all three points for Barcelona.
Xavi praised the team's effort and commitment but acknowledged the need to improve their effectiveness in the final third. With their Champions League campaign looming, Barcelona will be looking to build on this victory as they face Napoli in the last 16.
The Catalans are currently unbeaten in four matches since Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season. Despite their inconsistencies this season, they remain in contention for silverware, with the Champions League representing their best chance of success.
Xavi handed Brazilian forward Vitor Roque his first start for the club, alongside Lewandowski and the impressive 16-year-old sensation, Yamal. The young winger continues to showcase his talent and was instrumental in Barcelona's attacking play once again.
Barcelona's inability to dominate games and their susceptibility to errors have been recurring themes this season, as highlighted by Xavi. However, he remains optimistic about the team's progress, emphasizing the importance of unity and hard work, particularly praising Lewandowski's contribution.
Overall, the victory against Celta Vigo encapsulates Barcelona's season so far—a mix of hard-fought wins and frustrating performances. As they navigate the remainder of the campaign, Barcelona will need to address their shortcomings to maintain their pursuit of success both domestically and in Europe.
