When vying for a treble, it’s crucial for a team to gather points even when not at its finest, which is exactly what Barcelona accomplished in a thrilling 4-3 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday. Goals from Raphinha and Dani Olmo flipped the script from a 3-1 deficit in the 62nd minute, granting Hansi Flick’s side all three points.
Match Highlights
Barcelona faced an emotional week as they advanced to the Champions League semifinals against Borussia Dortmund. Flick mentioned the struggle with match congestion, stating, “Every league protects its clubs when they compete in the Champions League. We lack time to recover.” This April, they’ll have three remaining games, including a league fixture against Mallorca, the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, and the Champions League semifinal first leg against Inter, causing schedule strain.
Despite efforts to rest key players like Lamine Yamal and Gavi, the team gave away a hat trick to Borja Iglesias, putting them in a tough position. However, Olmo impacted the match shortly after being substituted, scoring five minutes after entry, followed by Raphinha’s goal just four minutes later. Eventually, he clinched victory with a penalty before the match concluded.
RAPHINHA CLUTCH!
4-3 BARCELONA 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cU8JzHDDov
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 19, 2025
In this remarkable season, Raphinha has recorded 28 goals and 20 assists across competitions, affirming his status as a Ballon d’Or contender while helping Barcelona command a seven-point lead over Real Madrid. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as Lewandowski had to leave the field due to muscle discomfort. The team will assess his condition closely, as they depend heavily on his 40 goals this season, the best tally since his record at Bayern Munich.
Barcelona’s upcoming matches are significant, including a Clasico against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final scheduled for April 26. The stakes are high, especially given Real Madrid’s recent struggles. Flick will need to navigate this challenging stretch wisely to maintain their trophy chase.
