In what will be remembered as an iconic comeback in Catalonia on Saturday evening, Barcelona claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory at home against Celta Vigo.
On the verge of what would have been an infamous collapse on home soil as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tasos Douvikas found the net on either side of the half-time break, Xavi’s side were 2-0 down heading into the final nine minutes.
However, with attacking talisman Robert Lewandowski bagging a pair of clinical strikes in the space of just four minutes, the reigning Spanish champions completed a stunning comeback here.
Watching Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo notch a famous last-gasp winner and sending the home support into overdrive, Barcelona now top La Liga thanks to a superior goal difference over Girona, with both sides on 16 points.
However, while Xavi’s men might have completed a remarkable turnaround in Catalonia, Celta Vigo will take some time to recover from an astonishing collapse on the road.
Throwing away what was a golden chance and likely to come under plenty of scrutiny, the Sky Blues have now won just one of their opening six La Liga showdowns.
On an evening when Barcelona at least briefly climbed their way back to the top of the La Liga standings, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Saturday’s rollercoaster battle in Catalonia.
Barca demonstrate their title grit
Making real history last season as they got their hands on a first La Liga crown since 2019, Barcelona opened up the new campaign with their sights set on embarking on another domestic romp.
While Xavi’s side might have gone about things the hard way on Saturday evening, the Spanish heavyweights certainly showed their title resolve here.
Opening their Champions League adventure with a routine performance in Catalonia earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a routine 5-0 romp against Belgium outfit Antwerp, Barca are in the midst of a recent purple patch.
Marking their return from September’s international break with another action-packed display last weekend as they claimed another 5-0 victory against Real Betis, the reigning champions should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.
Winning each of their previous six appearances across all formats and notching 16 strikes on their recent flurry, Barca will feel that they have a perfect platform to build on going forward.
Lewandowski is the king of Catalonia
Claiming last season’s Golden Boot and making an immediate impact after completing his blockbuster move from Bayern Munich, Lewandowski has certainly cemented his spot as Barca’s new attacking icon.
Gaining a string of plaudits since arriving in Catalonia and continuing on his record-breaking flurry, the Polish superstar was once again at the heart of everything positive that Xavi’s side produced here.
Spearheading Barca’s dramatic comeback on Saturday evening after bagging a quickfire brace in the space of just four minutes, Lewandowski will have a key role to play across all competitions this season.
Along with opening his Champions League account against Antwerp earlier in the week, the 35-year-old has notched six strikes in his previous five appearances for the reigning Spanish champions.
Only getting better with age and still rightfully regarded among Europe’s elite marksmen, Lewandowski will be looking to extend on his free-scoring flurry when Barca travel to Mallorca on Tuesday night.
Celta suffer an infamous collapse in Catalonia
While Celta Vigo might have opened up the new campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine top-half charge this time around, Saturday’s guests are in the midst of another La Liga struggle.
Spending large spells of last season looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, the Sky Blues suffered what will long be remembered as an infamous collapse on Saturday evening.
Missing out on what was a golden opportunity to claim just a second La Liga victory in Catalonia since 2014, there could be some mounting pressure on Rafa Benítez’s shoulders at Balaidos.
Marking their return from September’s international break with a toothless 1-0 defat at home against Mallorca last weekend, the former Newcastle boss has seen his downbeat squad muster just a single win from any of their opening six top-flight appearances.
Quickly gaining a reputation for their extended defensive issues and ending Saturday’s fixtures holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Celta will take some time to recover from their woeful collapse on the road.
Match Report
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Alonso, Gundogan, Romeu, De Jong, Torres, Lewandowski, Felix
Subs: Gavi, Balde, Araujo, Yamal, Raphinha
Celta Vigo: Villar, Mingueza, Nunez, Starfelt, Dominguez, Ristic, De la Torre, Beltran, Bambam Aspas, Strand Larsen
Subs: Dotor, Douvikas, Rodriguez, Swedberg
Goals: Barcelona: Lewandowski (81’, 85’), Cancelo (89’) – Celta Vigo: Strand Larsen (19’), Douvikas (76’)
Yellow Cards: Barcelona: Christensen, Gavi – Celta Vigo: Nunez
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Mario Melero Lopez
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