Barcelona and Celta Vigo met at the Nou Camp with little to play for as the 2021-22 La Liga season winds down. Still, the match provided plenty of entertainment as always with these two, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace led Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over 10-man Celta Vigo.
Down 3-0 early in the second half, Celta Vigo picked up one back through a mistake by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen which Iago Aspas finished off. That was all the visitors had, however, as halftime substitute Jeison Murillo was sent off in the 58th minute for a last-man foul.
“Ousmane, I have said many times, is capable of making the difference,” Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez said afterward. “In football it is not just goals that make the difference, it’s defending well, assisting … Today he came up with the play for the first goal … he’s different, special, that’s why I say he is important for me.”
Celta Vigo, who finished with more efforts on goal than their hosts, pulled a goal back shortly after Barca made it 3-0 when Iago Aspas capitalised on a poor pass out of the back by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. But they would later be reduced to 10 men following a red card for Jeison Murillo in the 58th minute.
Ousmane Dembele starred, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang profited as Barcelona picks up a multi-goal victory over bogey team Celta Vigo.
All thoughts now are with Ronald Araujo, whose scary head injury is concerning. Xavi will have a headache picking his team next week with so many players missing through injury and suspension.
LATEST NEWS | Ronald Araujo has suffered a concussion and has been taken to the hospital to undergo further testing pic.twitter.com/XdcgtO2dpn
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2022
The three points take Barcelona seven points clear of third-place Sevilla, although the Catalans have played a game more. Second place would secure a spot in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona have already sewn up a place in the top four and thus the Champions League for next season, behind already crowned champions Real Madrid.
“Finishing second and qualifying for the Supercopa is enough motivation, in addition it will help financially,” Xavi added. “But not good today, [we] have to play better, although on other days the reverse has happened: not got a result when playing well. Have to improve, that’s obvious.”
Celta Vigo, meanwhile, remain locked in midtable in 11th place.
