When pursuing a treble, it’s crucial for a team to score points even when not performing at their peak, and Barcelona demonstrated this by clinching a stunning 4-3 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday. After trailing 3-1 in the 62nd minute, goals from Raphinha and Dani Olmo turned the tide for Hansi Flick’s squad.
This match follows an emotional week for Barcelona, who secured their spot in the Champions League semifinals against Borussia Dortmund. During the week, Flick expressed concerns about the densely packed schedule, stating, “Every league protects their clubs when they play in the Champions League. We have no time to rest.”
With crucial matches in April remaining, including a league face-off against Mallorca, the Copa Del Rey final against Real Madrid, and the Champions League semifinal against Inter, Barcelona can’t afford to rest key players. Recently, Flick attempted to rest talents like Lamine Yamal and Gavi, resulting in Borja Iglesias scoring a hat trick and putting Barcelona at a disadvantage.
However, the introduction of players like Yamal and Olmo quickly paid off, with Olmo netting a goal shortly after entering and Yamal assisting Raphinha’s strike just minutes later. Barcelona regained their attacking rhythm, culminating in Raphinha converting a penalty deep into stoppage time, securing all three points.
In a remarkable season, Raphinha has now scored 28 goals and provided 20 assists across all competitions, solidifying his spot as a Ballon d’Or contender and helping guide Barcelona seven points clear of Real Madrid atop the table.
It was not all positive news for Barcelona, as striker Robert Lewandowski had to leave the field due to muscle discomfort. His condition will be evaluated, but with many matches ahead, Barcelona cannot afford to lose him for any stretch of time. He has scored 40 goals and assisted three this season, matching his best performance since his 2021-22 campaign with Bayern Munich.
Next on the horizon is a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on April 26, and the absence of Lewandowski would be a significant blow for the team. While Madrid has faced challenges, struggling against Arsenal in the Champions League, in rivalry matches, form can often be disregarded when trophies are at stake.
Flick has effectively guided the team’s strategy this season, but it will be essential for him to continue this path, as Barcelona cannot afford errors in the coming matches. Achieving a treble is a tall order, especially with the increasing pressure of players’ workloads worldwide. Barcelona is focused on the challenge ahead, with the pivotal match against Los Blancos just around the corner.
