On Sunday, Pedri’s goal helped Nervy Barcelona move back to the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.
After Real Madrid beat Getafe, Barcelona knew they needed to beat Celta to go into next Sunday’s Clasico as league leaders, but Celta made it difficult for them.
With Barcelona holding a slim lead, the visitors came close to equalizing at Camp Nou, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen earned his sixth consecutive domestic clean sheet with a brilliant late save from Iago Aspas.
With the Catalans on the ropes and begging for the whistle, Goncalo Paciencia hit the post in stoppage time.
“We had four, five, or six clear chances in the second half, but if you don’t score at Camp Nou. It’s normal to lose,” Aspas told DAZN. “They squandered time on throw-ins.”
Due to injury concerns, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez started left-back. Marcos Alonso in central defense alongside Gerard Pique, but otherwise chose his strongest side available.
“UEFA is a mafia,” chanted a section of Barcelona fans after president Joan Laporta advocated for the. Super League again at the club’s annual general meeting on Sunday morning.
Barcelona wasted a slew of early chances, with Ferran Torres missing a tempting cross and having another effort saved by. Agustin Marchesin, who also did well to claw out Raphinha’s rasping drive.
The pressure soon paid off, and Pedri put Barcelona ahead in the 17th minute, after. Celta defender Unai Nunez inadvertently teed up the Spanish midfielder while attempting to clear Gavi’s cross.
Nervy Barcelona continued to dominate, with Jordi. Alba blasting into the side netting and Pedri delighting fans with a burst forward from midfield.
Celta, on the other hand, made a determined start to the second half.
As the visitors pushed for an equalizer, Marcos Alonso made a fine block to deny Oscar Rodriguez from close range.
OPPORTUNITIES MISSED
Xavi responded with a triple substitution, bringing in wingers. Torres and Raphinha while resting Pedri for the crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
On came Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati, and Frenkie de Jong, the latter returning from injury, but it was Celta who created the better chances.
Jorgen Larsen’s goal was disallowed due to offside in the build-up against Javi Galan. Ter Stegen made a stunning save from 10 yards out to deny. Aspas with six minutes remaining, and Hugo Mallo fired another effort wide.
Celta substitute Paciencia hit the post from inside the box, and Carles Perez, a former. Barcelona youth player, had a shot blocked by a sprawling Barcelona defender.
Xavi’s side held on for the points, making it seven wins in a row in La Liga, with this one coming much harder than the others.
“We need to improve; we can’t afford to give up so many chances in a game that was mostly under control.”
Brais Mendez’s brilliant goal-scoring form continued for Real Sociedad, who beat Villarreal 1-0 to move to sixth place in La Liga.
The winger has now scored five goals in six games in Spain’s top flight, with his 32nd-minute strike securing a well-deserved victory for Imanol Alguacil’s team.
Real Betis, fifth in the table, drew 0-0 with Real Valladolid. German Pezzella was sent off in the 35th minute, setting them up for an uphill battle in the second half.
Joselu scored twice for Espanyol in a 2-2 draw at Cadiz, lifting the Catalan club to 17th place and dropping Sevilla to 18th.
Xavi’s side held on for the points, making it seven wins in a row in La Liga, this one coming much harder than the others.
“We have to improve; we can’t give up so many chances in a game that was mostly under control.”
In other news, Real Sociedad defeated Villarreal 1-0 to move up to sixth place in La Liga.
The winger now has five goals in six games in Spain’s top flight, with his well-taken 32nd-minute strike securing a well-deserved victory for Imanol Alguacil’s team.
Real Betis, fifth in the table, drew 0-0 with Real Valladolid. German Pezzella was sent off in the 35th minute, setting them up for an uphill battle in the second half, just as. Luiz Felipe was in the 20th last weekend
Joselu Nervy Barcelona scored twice for Espanyol in a 2-2 draw at Cadiz, lifting the Catalan club to 17th place and dropping Sevilla to 18th.
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