Barcelona slip offers Real Madrid, Atletico hope
MADRID: Celta Vigo breathed life into La Liga’s title race becoming the first team this season to take points off Barcelona at the Nou Camp in a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday. Iago Aspas gave Celta an early lead, but an inspired display from Lionel Messi appeared to have earned Barca another three points as he immediately equalised and then helped tee up Luis Suarez to put the hosts 2-1 in front.
However, the excellent Aspas set up Maxi Gomez 20 minutes from time as Barca centre-back Samuel Umtiti suffered what could be a costly injury. Barca’s slip-up is a boost for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who can close to within six points with victories over Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad respectively later on Saturday.
“We are Barcelona and we want to win every game, but it isn’t always possible,” Barca boss Ernesto Valverde said.
“Today we’ve drawn when we had more chances to win, but the league depends on a long season, not just one game.”
Celta have been a bogey side for Barca in recent years, beating the Catalans once in each of the past three seasons.
And a positive start from the Galicians on Celta boss Juan Carlos Unzue’s return to the Camp Nou, where he spent three years as Luis Enrique’s assistant, was rewarded 20 minutes in.
Aspas sprung Barca’s offside trap and crossed for the unmarked Gomez who was denied by an incredible save by Marc-andre ter Stegen.
However, the rebound fell for Aspas to slot home his ninth goal of the season. “Barca had more chances but I think with the ones we had we put Ter Stegen to the test,” said Unzue.
“It is a good result for us and I think it is a deserved one.”
Celta’s lead lasted two minutes, though, as Messi latched onto Paulinho’s pass to fire low under Ruben Blanco for his first goal since late October.
Barcelona’s failure to beat Celta Vigo was compounded by injuries to Samuel Umtiti and captain Andres Iniesta.
With just three weeks to go until Barca face Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Umtiti in particular faces a race to be fit for December 23.