Barcelona demonstrated their ability to win even when not playing at their peak, securing a 4-3 victory against Celta Vigo on Saturday. After falling behind 3-1 by the 62nd minute, goals from Raphinha and Dani Olmo sparked a turnaround for Hansi Flick`s team, earning them crucial points.
It`s been an emotionally charged week for Barcelona, having just advanced to the Champions League semifinals by defeating Borussia Dortmund. However, the schedule remains demanding. Flick has previously voiced concerns about fixture congestion, noting the lack of rest compared to other leagues that protect clubs playing in the Champions League. Barcelona`s April schedule includes a league match against Mallorca, the Copa Del Rey final against Real Madrid, and the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Inter later in the month.
Due to the high stakes of upcoming matches and trophy opportunities, Barcelona can`t afford extensive player rotation. This game against Celta Vigo highlighted that challenge. Flick initially rested players like Lamine Yamal and Gavi, which contributed to Borja Iglesias scoring a hat trick and putting Barcelona in a difficult position.
The introduction of Yamal and Olmo quickly changed the game. Olmo scored just five minutes after coming on, and Yamal then assisted Raphinha four minutes later. Barcelona`s attack regained its expected potency. Ultimately, Raphinha converted a penalty in the eighth minute of added time in the second half, sealing the victory for Barcelona.
This season has been exceptional for the Brazilian player, who now boasts 28 goals and 20 assists across all competitions for Barcelona. He is a strong contender for the Ballon d`Or and is instrumental in Barcelona`s push to the top of La Liga, where they now hold a seven-point lead over Real Madrid, for the moment.
A concern for Barcelona was Robert Lewandowski`s substitution due to muscle discomfort. He will be evaluated, but his absence would be a significant blow given the packed schedule. Lewandowski has been in excellent form this season, scoring 40 goals and providing 3 assists for Barcelona, marking his best performance since the 2021-22 season with Bayern Munich. With Lewandowski leading the attack, Flick has built a formidable offense capable of challenging any team, which is why Barcelona is in contention for a treble.
The next major challenge in their treble pursuit is El Clasico against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on April 26. Lewandowski`s potential absence would be a significant setback for the team. While Real Madrid has been inconsistent recently, rivalry games are unpredictable, especially with a trophy at stake.
Flick`s tactical decisions have largely been successful this season, and he will need to continue this as Barcelona cannot afford any missteps in their upcoming matches. Winning a treble is always difficult, and the increasing fixture congestion for players worldwide makes it even more challenging. Barcelona has this ambitious goal in sight, and the next crucial step is against Real Madrid.
