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Barcelona displayed their resilience and fighting spirit as they secured a stunning comeback victory against Celta Vigo, ultimately winning 3-2. The hero of the match was Robert Lewandowski, who scored two crucial goals, while Joao Cancelo sealed the victory with a late winner.
Throughout the game, Celta Vigo adopted a defensive approach, in contrast to other recent Barcelona opponents. Real Betis and Royal Antwerp had shown attacking intent, but were easily dismantled by Barcelona. However, Celta Vigo managed to take the lead against the run of play, with Jorgen Strand Larsen scoring in the 19th minute.
Barcelona had control of the game in the opening stages but struggled to create dangerous opportunities. Frenkie de Jong attempted a through pass to Joao Felix, but the latter failed to control the ball. Additionally, de Jong suffered a knock and was replaced by the energetic youngster Gavi.
Celta Vigo had a golden chance to double their lead, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a brilliant save to deny Strand Larsen's header. Lucas de la Torre wasted the rebound, firing the ball over the bar when presented with an open goal.
In the second half, Barcelona made changes to their lineup, introducing Ronald Araujo and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Araujo showcased his shooting ability with a powerful strike from distance, forcing a save from Ivan Villar. Ferran Torres also missed an excellent opportunity, firing wide as he ran through on goal.
Celta Vigo continued to threaten, with Ter Stegen making another superb save to deny Jonathan Bamba. However, Barcelona quickly staged a comeback, with Lewandowski scoring an audacious goal, flicking the ball over Villar and into the net off the crossbar. Just four minutes later, Lewandowski found the back of the net again, this time assisted by Cancelo.
Cancelo, who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester City, has been impressive since his arrival. He demonstrated his attacking prowess by scoring the decisive goal, guiding Gavi's cross past Villar with the accuracy of a seasoned striker.
Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, formerly of Barcelona, lamented the team's inability to hold on to their two-goal lead. He acknowledged Barcelona's experience and quality but emphasized the need for Celta Vigo to avoid such collapses in the future.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez hailed his team's incredible comeback against Celta Vigo as evidence of a generational change in society. The Catalans came from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice in the final 10 minutes before João Cancelo struck in the 89th minute. Xavi praised his team's belief and courage, noting that their willingness to take risks paid off. He emphasized that the comeback exemplified the fighting spirit of the new generation of players, such as Gavi, Balde, and Yamal. Xavi acknowledged that Barça did not play well but stressed the importance of their epic character and faith in securing the win.
Xavi highlighted midfielder Gavi as a key figure in the comeback, although he emphasized that it was a team effort. He praised Gavi for his impact after replacing the injured Frenkie de Jong in the first half. Xavi also recognized the brilliant performance of goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who made several crucial saves to keep Celta at bay. Despite the euphoria of the win, Xavi admitted that there is still room for improvement and that Barça needs to compete better and show more purpose in their performances.
Celta coach Rafa Benitez expressed disappointment with his team's inability to hold onto their lead and prevent Barcelona's dramatic comeback. He urged his players to feel anger and annoyance at their failure to close out the game. Benitez noted that Celta had opportunities to extend their advantage in the second half but credited Ter Stegen's excellence for keeping them at bay. He lamented the lack of purpose from his team in the final minutes, suggesting that they should have taken measures to disrupt Barcelona's rhythm.
Barcelona's stunning comeback against Celta Vigo showcased the fighting spirit and resilience of the new generation of players. Xavi Hernandez praised his team's belief and courage, emphasizing their willingness to take risks. The coach singled out midfielder Gavi for his role in the turnaround, but he acknowledged that it was a collective effort. Despite the win, both Xavi and Celta coach Rafa Benitez acknowledged that there is still room for improvement and that their respective teams need to compete better and show more purpose in their performances.
Overall, Barcelona showcased their fighting spirit and determination in this remarkable comeback victory. The result not only earned them three valuable points in La Liga but also demonstrated the team's resilience under coach Xavi.
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