Barcelona move top of La Liga table after Celta Vigo win

Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid to take back the top spot in La Liga as they limped to a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo to record their sixth consecutive league clean sheet for the first time since May 2015.

The Spanish giants, despite struggling in Europe so far this season, have been dominant domestically, and they bossed the first half. 

The first action of note came when Agustín Marchesin showed superb reflexes to palm away Raphinha’s whipped effort from 25 yards.

Marchesin did well again to deny Ferran Torres, with Raphinha unable to get a clean connection on the rebound, but the deadlock was broken in the 17th minute.

 A Jordi Alba pass over the top released Gavi down the left and his ball across was cut out by Unai Núñez.

Unfortunately for the Athletic Bilbao loanee, his attempted clearance was only diverted into the path of the arriving Pedri, who tucked home with glee as Marchesin was left wrong-footed by his team-mate’s poorly executed intervention.

Barça felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Raphinha went over Javi Galán’s left leg. However, referee José Luis Munuera Montero felt the Brazilian had initiated the contact and waved away the protests, much to the winger’s anger.

The balance of play shifted at the start of the second half. Óscar Rodriguez was left kicking Iago Aspas’ through ball and shortly afterward, Marcos Alonso mopped up in his own area as Aspas looked to link up with Jørgen Strand Larsen. 

Xavi’s men next face Inter Milan in a must-win Champions League clash on Wednesday before a huge Clásico, while Edouardo Coudet’s men host Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Real Madrid are second on the table based on goal difference after defeating Getafe 1-0 on Saturday. Real Sociedad beat Villarreal by the same scoreline on Sunday.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu