FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo: Tough test for the leaders

FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo: Tough test for the leaders

8.00 PM CET: Barça need to get back to winning ways against an ambitious Celta side containing a number of familiar faces

Barça and Luis Enrique face another tough test on Saturday. After losing at the Bernabéu last week, they need three points to ensure that they at least continue having a share of the lead in La Liga with fellow table-toppers Sevilla. But they’re facing a Celta side that has not lost on the road this season, and which contains no fewer than four former members of its own academy in Nolito, Fontàs, Sergi Gómez and Planas.

One of the biggest attractions this evening is the possibility of Leo Messi equalling or even surpassing Telmo Zarra’s all-time league goalscoring record. The Argentinian only needs one goal to match the legendary record.

The squad

Luis Enrique has just two players, Andrés Iniesta and Thomas Vermaelen, injured for the game against the side he managed last season. Piqué, Montoya, Masip and Douglas also miss out, the latter despite being declared fully fit this week, while Barça B’s Munir is included in the eighteen.

Familiar faces

Celta are coming to the Camp Nou after an impressive start to the season under Eduardo Berizzo, who has continued and added to the legacy left by Luis Enrique. They like to control the ball. They like to take centre stage. And they have four products of the Barça academy in their ranks, although Fontàs is doubtful for this evening and Planas is definitely out.

The Galicians are currently sixth in the table with four wins, four draws and just one defeat. And they’re the only side that has yet to lose an away match this term.

Força Barça
Força Barça

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