BAR 3:0 CVG | FC Barcelona - Celta de Vigo (LaLiga)

LaLiga

Bundesliga

Barcelona – Celta Vigo

3:0 (end)

Sevilla – Real

2:1 (end)

Atlético – Granada

1:0 (end)

final

FC Barcelona

3:0 (2:0)

Celta de Vigo

Wednesday 26.03.2014, 20:00 • Camp Nou, Barcelona • LaLiga

		Thank you for following the match with us tonight, more La Liga action tonight coming up shortly. Until next time, goodbye! (22:01:22)
		Match stats: Shots (on goal): BAR 14 (6), CEL 8 (6) Free kicks: BAR 10, CEL 20 Corners: BAR 4, CEL 6 Offsides: BAR 6, CEL 2 Fouls: BAR 11, CEL 8 Yellow cards: BAR 2, CEL 2 Possession: BAR 67%, CEL 33%.
		Barcelona walk off with a win and another three points thanks to Neymar's two strikes and Messi adding the third. The hosts overshadowed their opponents from start to finish and deservedly win valuable points.
	90+3	Game over.
	90+2	On come the physio as Mario Bermejo is lying down on the ground, though it seems he'll be able to get up and continue the match.
	90+1	Barcelona keep possession and allow little space to Celta as they close the game.
	90	There will be three minutes of added time.
	90	As the 90th minute is coming to its end, it's become clear that Barcelona will walk off as winners tonight.
	86	Sergi Roberto can't put it across the line and into the back of the net following a beautiful volley from the edge of the area after some trouble within, lots of space for Roberto to shoot.
	86	Interesting layoff from the midfield as Barcelona first make the chest pass and then send a high ball down the pitch for, literally, no one.
	84	A beutifull chipped cross from the left and a great header inside the box, but Pinto flies to the left post and makes the fifth save since being brought on.
	83	Hugo Mallo (CEL) finally gets cautioned as he tackles Jordi Alba by the sideline and the referee brandishes a yellow card.
	83	Jordi Alba tries his luck from long range, but his powerful strike is just wide to the left of the goal post.
	82	Sloppy offensive play just at the edge of the area as the pass from the left is sent behind Alexis' back and he can't make it for the shot.
	80	It seems to linger as Barca keep Celta at bay, although they'd probably like to test the knee of Pinto after the collision.
	78	It's hard to comment anything as nothing is going on. The most of the play and possession take place in midfield by Barcelona and no attacks whatsoever.
		Now Pinto seems to pick up the injury after colliding with the goal post trying to make it back in tme and save the previous mistake. He cracks his left knee in, but seems to shake it off after the physio came on.
	76	Poor Celta! They can't score even when they're gifted! Pinto leaves the goal and miskicks the ball striking it into Mario Bermejo but the ball slides away from him and wide to the left.
	75	Yellow card has been awarded Fernández (Real Club Celta de Vigo).
	75	Sergi Roberto gets tackled and brought to the ground in midfield.
	74	Real Club Celta de Vigo substitution: Fontás is replaced by Oubina. A standing ovation for Fontás as the home fans honour their former player.
	73	Pedro wants to express himself right away and sprints with the ball on the right sending a smooth through pass for Alexis cutting in just in time, only his shot passes wide of the left post.
	71	FC Barcelona substitution: Neymar is replaced by Pedro.
	69	Messi and Fábregas combine in midfield before the latter could send a through ball over the right flank for Alexis, whose run can't make it as the pass is a bit too quick.
	67	Goal for Barcelona! Alexis Sánchez sends a sweet pass from the left wing by the halfway line all the way to the other side where NEYMAR awaits, receives it smoothly and then between two defenders delivers into the lower right corner of the net. Classy move by the Brazilian.
	66	Corner kick from the right for Celta taken high to the edge of the penalty area, cleared by Barca.
	64	Real Club Celta de Vigo substitution: Orellana is replaced by Bermejo.
	63	A floating cross into the box by Celta can't find a header despite two forwards waiting, Barcelona deny it.
	62	Ínigo López tackles Jordi Alba inside his own half, the referee reaches into his pocket, but shows nothing, so the card count will remain two so far.
	61	An hour gone in tonight's match, Barcelona still dominant although Celta have had some good movements in this second half. The game is calm though as Barcelona don't need to play 100% to win tonight. It seems also they can score whenever they feel like it.
	59	Infractionally offside move, it was exceptional though as Messi lofts a beautifully chipped pass in for Fábregas who vanishes behind the defense and racks it up off the bar, but he was already flagged offside.
	58	Mallo takes down Neymar once again within the shooting range and should be booked for the tackle now, though it seems he's got more lives than a cat.
	57	The game is calmer than the first half. I guess the teams don't want more injuries and both realize who's leaving the stadium tonight as the winner. Unless Celta could pull of a miracle.
	56	Offside flagged as Barca move down the pitch.
	54	Messi finds Fábregas on the left flank entering the penalty area but he hasn't got the flashing pace to beat the defender as the ball slides out to a goal kick for Yoel.
	53	Pinto makes two magnificent saves from close range! After a shallow cross from Orellana from the left Fernández cuts in from the middle and deflects it, only Pinto is in the right space to bounce it and pick up the second shot.
	52	Neymar gets tackled by Mallo on the left flank and wins the free kick, but would like more punishment for the Celta defender. The referee smiles at it and signals for the free kick.
	50	Celta on the attack again, this time over the right wing and Jordi Alba closes down good deflecting it into a corner. Taken to the five-metre area, denied with the header from Bartra.
	48	Celta win the corner kick from the left wing as Bartra gets it over the line. The kick taken to the penalty spot for the header which slides wide to the left and away.
	46	Alexis on the right wing trying to slide a feed in for Messi, though it gets anticipated well by the defence and cleared and on second attempt Jonny Castro denies Alexis easily.
	46	And we're off with the second half and Celta Vigo get us under way.
	46	Start of 2nd half.
	46	FC Barcelona substitution: Iniesta is replaced by Roberto.
		Halftime stats: Shots (on target): BAR 8 (4), CEL 2 (2) Fouls: BAR 5, CEL 2 Offsides: BAR 4, CEL 1 Yellow cards: BAR 2, CEL 0 Possession: BAR 72%, CEL 28%.
		After the first half Barcelona lead 2-0 over the Celts. There's not much to say, really. It was expected that Celta would be subordinate to their opposition and seek their chance on counters, but Barca don't allow a lot of that. Neymar and Messi steer the match in the positive way for Barca so far doubling in the first half. What concerns is the injury of Victor Valdes who had to leave the net after only 24 minutes and Cabral on the other side being one of the most experienced defenders on the Celta side while they're already vulnerable in centre back position.
	45+4	1st halftime finished.
	45+4	The kick floats in with Song and Bartra deep back in who deal with it and let it go over the line for a goal kick.
	45+3	Jordi Alba (BAR) gets booked second tonight for the sliding tackle from behind. He does protest, but for sure shouldn't.
	45+3	So far Barcelona have had two chances in the box and Celta none, but none of the hosts' were dangerous.
	45	There will be four minutes of added time.
	45	Alexis decides to let it go from some reasonable distance outside the box, the ball is fast but too wide to the right and Yoel will get it back with the goal kick.
	44	The ball is rolled in from the right by Celta for Santi Mina who jolts in too late and Pinto picks up an easy save.
	44	Celta enjoying their first extended period of possession. This is more like the Celts, however, they are struggling to move the ball up the pitch, passing as far back as Yoel in order to keep it away from Barcelona.
	43	Messi gets denied in the box once again, the ball couldn't even get near him being double-teamed.
	41	Barcelona keep the ball wide and try over the flanks with occasional visit to the middle, although it's quite obvious that Celta are extremely vulnerable in the middle. And now they've lost Cabral on that position.
	40	Sweet movement from Barcelona in midfield near the right touchline, though after Adriano got denied by Aurtenetxe who's been covering him pretty well today, they overlap, bringing no change.
	38	Real Club Celta de Vigo substitution: Cabral is replaced by López. Cabral can't return and continue the game obviously.
	37	Jordi Alba and Leo Messi play two quick passes which allow Messi to sneak past the defense, but he gets denied the shot in the waning moments before.
	36	Adriano receives a pass from Iniesta on the right, gets into the box and tries to dribble Jonny Castro, picks the right side though the Spanish defender anticipates well and denies him the chance to cross.
	35	After Andrés Iniesta gets denied in the penalty box with a header from Mallo, an interesting tackle happens in midfield in the air though no foul is called, it could have gone both sides.
	34	Orellana tries his luck from the left corner of the penalty box after a smooth pass from the middle, though the shot is too easy and easy to read as Pinto makes his first save.
	32	Nothing coming out of the corner, a long range effort from Barcelona's left wing sees Yoel collecting an easy save.
	31	Neymar floats past Santi Mina who comes back all the way from the attack to the penalty box and upon getting lined with the penalty spot gets blocked and wins a corner.
	30	Goal for Barcelona! Who else if not the magician? LIONEL MESSI duly delivers after Iniesta finds him between two defenders and he has an easy task from the right edge of the five-metre area. Barcelona double.
	29	Cabral is taken out of from the pitch and will be treated there – Celta with ten.
	27	Another delay in play as Cabral falls down and holds his shin with a painful grimace, following a tackle in midfield. The physio comes on, we'll see if he will shake it off or will need substitution.
	26	Celta win a corner from the right, taken mid-air into the box and the attackers try to steer it in, but the slow shot is just wide of the left post.
	26	Barcelona are not down because of their top keeper got injured and continue their play keeping possession and building patiently.
	24	FC Barcelona substitution: Valdes is replaced by Pinto.
		Scenes of concern for Barcelona's fans and Gerardo Martino as Victor Valdes holds his ankle following the save and seemingly can't continue the match, the physio is on and they'll take him out so he won't be able to continue, Pinto has taken immediate action and is prepping to enter the match.
	21	Orellana shoots just over the wall and strikes it high and difficult for Valdes who manages to handle it in the end diving on it.
	20	Yellow card has been awarded Adriano (FC Barcelona) for hand play.
	20	It seems like the referee has shown for the penalty, but after protests from Barcelona that the hand was outside the box he's changed his decision. And he's right, it was outside.
	18	Fontas reads Iniesta's intentions from just outside the box to find Messi in, intercepts the pass and sends it forward in pacy fashion.
	17	The first defensive play by Barcelona tonight as Jordi Alba deals with a situation shooting the ball into the Celta's attacker thus forcing a goal kick for Valdes.
	16	Messi keeps Yoel busy! Another pass sending him to a counter, he's alone with the keeper and has a go, though Yoel reads the shot and saves on the ground.
	15	Unbeliveable miss from Neymar! Adriano led the counter 3-on-2 over the right and fed for Messi in the middle and he selflessly forwards the pass to Neymar, he's a moment late for it and Yoel had time to close it while Neymar was forced to shoot the outter part of the net.
	14	Neymar drives into space on the cross from Adriano from the left, but diving for the ball misses it just letting it slip away into a goal kick.
	13	Adriano tries his luck from outside the area on the right, Yoel gets his hands on it and stops.
	13	The first time Barcelona had to collect the ball in their own the third, but still Celta can't do anything, Barcelona dominant in possesion.
	10	Alexis drives the counter over the right and in the right time finds Neymar on the other wing who can't get it forward to Messi as he's offside, dribbles out his man on the left edge of the box though the feed to the middle gets intercepted.
	10	Once again Iniesta sends a through ball for Messi into the left edge of the area but he drifts in too quick and another offside is signalled.
	9	Barca are keeping the ball at safe distance slowly building from there , they're playing pretty shallow in midfield, but don't allow Celta any possession.
	7	Barcelona win the free kick in midfield as Aurtenetxe tackles Alexis. The free kick is taken short and Barcelona continue with their possession game.
	6	Goal for Barcelona! We have hardly started and Barcelona already capitalize on their possession game. Leo Messi creates everything from the right flank after a pass from Iniesta, closes down to the middle and sends a perfect through ball for NEYMAR who tucks it in from close range with no problems.
	4	The shallow ball from Iniesta in the middle played ffor Messi into the area, the referee waves his flag and the play is stopped for offside.
	3	Adriano can't beat the defense on the right flank and cross it, they clear away only for Barca's defenders to get to it.
	3	Neymar comes off the left wing and drifts inside, but can't get the ball past the defense.
	2	Barcelona hold on the possession passing around and wiggling the ball from one side to the other.
	1	And we're off, Barcelona kick off the clash attacking left to right.
	1	Game started.
		Starting lineups: FC Barcelona: Valdes – Alba, Mascherano, Bartra, Correia – Iniesta, Song, Fábregas – Neymar, Messi, Sánchez Subs: Pinto, Piqué, Pedro, Busquets, Tello, Alves, Roberto Real Club Celta de Vigo: Yoel – Castro, Aurtenetxe, Cabral, Mallo – Orellana, López Á., Fontás, Madinda, Fernández – Santi Mina Subs: Álvarez, Oubiña, Bermejo, Nolito, Charles, López Í., Costas Referees: Ayza – Martínez, Barbero, Abad.
		Scheduled kickoff: 20:00 CET, 19:00 GMT, 23:00 MSK, 15:00 EDT.
		Head-to-head: Barcelona are unbeaten in their last five H2H clashes, with Celta snapping only a point in Vigo last season. In each of the winning games for Barça they've scored 3 goals, while they drew 2-2.
		Celta de Vigo Today's counterpart for Barcelona, Celta de Vigo are currently standing in 12th place on the table and are 36 points behind Barcelona. They should be able to keep their position and avoid relegation, but nothing more than mid-table is realistic. They've managed to win only one match in their last five, drew once as well and lost three times. They're headed into today's clash following a loss to Málaga in Vigo Friday.
		FC Barcelona Barça's stunning El Clásico win over Real have given them a huge lif ahead of today's clash against Celta. With that win Barcelona are back on track and fighting for the La Liga title. Their currently third and a point shy of leaders Atlético Madrid and Real. Barca are on the winning streak with 3 victories in the row and four out of their last five matches.
		Good evening football fans, it's another day of La Liga and we have for you the clash between Barcelona and Celta de Vigo.

Commentary by

Alan Ilijic

Goals & lineups

Goals: 6. Neymar, 30. Messi, 67. Neymar

Cards: 20. Adriano (BAR), 45+3. Alba (BAR) – 75. Fernández (VIG), 83. Mallo (VIG)

FC Barcelona: Valdes (24' Pinto) – Alba, Mascherano, Bartra, Correia – Iniesta, Song, Fábregas – Neymar, Messi, Sánchez
Subs: Pinto (24'), Piqué, Pedro, Busquets, Tello, Alves, Roberto

Celta de Vigo: Yoel – Castro, Aurtenetxe, Cabral (38' López Í.), Mallo – Orellana, López Á., Fontás, Madinda, Fernández – Santi Mina
Subs: Álvarez, Oubiña, Bermejo, Nolito, Charles, López Í. (38'), Costas

Referees: Ayza – Martínez, Barbero, Abad

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