Celta Vigo Vs Barcelona: After The International Break, El Barca Immediately Stepped On The Gas At Bala Baddos

Robert Lewandowski is back in front of Barcelona (photo: x @FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona will try to get up from a surprising defeat before the international break. Now they face Celta Vigo in La Liga continued on Saturday night, November 23, 2024, or Sunday morning WIB at Bala Marijudos Stadium.

Hansi Flick's side lost 0-1 to Real Sociedad in the last game, but they still lead La Liga standings with a six-point difference from Real Madrid in second place. On the other hand, Celta Vigo drew 2-2 against Real Betis before the international break and is now ranked 11th with 17 points from 13 matches.

Celta Vigo recorded five wins, two draws, and six defeats this season, scoring one of the best goals in the league even though their defense was fragile with 22 goals conceded. Before the international break, Claudio Giraldez's side almost won over Real Betis, but Marc Bartra's late goal forced a draw.

Barcelona, meanwhile, remain the strongest team of the season with 11 wins from 13 matches. Despite losing in the last game, they have an impressive away record, winning six of the eight away games. However, consistency remains a concern with a number of key players absent due to injury.

Celta Vigo will rely on Iago Aspas, who has scored four goals and provided three assists this season. The captain also had additional motivation to become the all-time leading goalscorer in meetings with Celta and Barcelona, needing just two more goals to surpass Lionel Messi.

Barcelona got good news with the return of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres from injury, although they had to play without Ansu Fati, Lamine Yamal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Ronald Araujo. Dani Olmo is likely to start again after previously starting the match from the bench against Real Sociedad.

Barcelona will return without several key players when they travel to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday, November 23, 2024. One of the players confirmed absent was Lamine Yamal, who is still recovering from an ankle injury.

The 17-year-old previously did not appear when Barcelona lost 0-1 to Real Sociedad before the international break, and also missed Spain's last two games in the UEFA Nations League. Although the injury is not serious, Yamal is expected to be back by the end of the month or early December.

Dani Olmo is expected to start again after only playing as a substitute in the defeat against Real Sociedad. Olmo is likely to play on the right side to replace Yamal. Gavi, who is also recovering from injury, is expected to start the match off the bench, although soon he will be back in the first place.

Meanwhile, the main goalkeeper position is still held by Inaki Pena, who replaces the absent Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Marc Casado, who has impressed this season, is expected to return to being a mainstay in midfield with Frenkie de Jong, while Pedri and Raphinha will complete the attacking midfielder line to support Lewandowski in front.

With this formation, Barcelona are determined to bounce back after their defeat in the previous match and hope to win in an away match which will be a tough challenge at Celta Vigo headquarters.

Even though Celta has performed solidly at home with four wins from seven matches, Barcelona is still favorite to win a narrow victory. Their impressive away record is predicted to be a key factor.

Forecast of the Linea Vigo: Guaita; J. Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Sotelo, Beltran, Manqullo; Bamba, Iglesias, Aspas.Barcelona: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Olmo, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski.