In a shocking turn of events, Celta Vigo managed to draw 2-2 against a depleted Barcelona side in the Spanish league match held in Balaidos Stadium on Saturday. Barcelona, which had taken the lead through goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, was in a commanding position until a red card to Marc Casadó in the 81st minute shifted the momentum of the game.
Barcelona looked set for victory until the late stages when Casadó received a second yellow card. This dismissal allowed Celta Vigo to capitalize on their numerical advantage, with Alfon González stunning the visitors by scoring in the 84th minute after Jules Koundé’s mistake. As the match approached its end, Hugo Álvarez unleashed a powerful shot in the 86th minute, securing a dramatic equalizer for Celta.
Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick expressed disappointment, indicating that the team struggled throughout the match despite being ahead. He acknowledged they could not establish a cohesive passing game and made several critical errors. “We played today a really bad game,” he said.
This draw marks another setback for Barcelona, who has faced challenges in recent matches since the injury to young star Lamine Yamal. With a seven-point lead over Real Madrid, who have played fewer matches, there is room for improvement going forward.
Koundé took responsibility for his mistake, acknowledging the need for players to maintain focus throughout the game. “It was a gross mistake that can’t happen,” he said.
In other matches, Atletico Madrid climbed to second place after a comeback against Alaves, and Valencia honored victims of recent floods in their first home game since the tragedy, focusing on community support amidst ongoing challenges in the league.
Despite the disappointment, there remains hope for Barcelona as they look to learn from this experience and bounce back in their upcoming matches. The team’s depth and talent will be vital as they navigate through this tough patch, with supporters eager to see a return to form.
Overall, while the draw against Celta may feel like a setback, it also serves as a crucial learning opportunity for Barcelona to address their weaknesses and build stronger teamwork for the future.