Before two very important games, Inter in the Champions League and El Classico the following weekend, Barcelona managed to win in La Liga at Nou Kamp and keep the first place ahead of Real Madrid due to a goal difference, but Xavi will not have a quiet night. Barca’s coach will be very worried with today’s display as Celta lost 1-0, but in reality should have managed at least a draw. The visitors were quiet for most of the match, but when they realized that the hosts are not in a mood to finish the game, started an all out attack and it’s a real wonder how did they manage to miss all those chances.Pedri doing Kounde’s celebration 😭 🐍 pic.twitter.com/MxFQ59nSoY— 🪄🇳🇱 (@FDJChief) October 9, 2022 Gerard Pique replaced the injured Andreas Christensen in a defense that has kept five consecutive clean sheets, while Alejandro Balde also returns to the side. Xavi was forced to play with three left back in the back four, but in the end it worked, mainly due to the fact that Celta forwards were not precise in the critical moments. Barcelona will have to analyze this game and quickly recoup before the Inter match.▪️ Back to the top of the table▪️ Seven league wins in a row▪️ 20 goals scored▪️ One concededBarcelona are rolling in La Liga 💯 pic.twitter.com/7w3yGeO7YM— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 9, 2022 Xavi decided to rest Ousmane Dembele so Ferran Torres was finally in the lineup. He in not a regular (and was paid hefty to Manchester City) and he is low on confidence, so he missed a great opportunity in the 7th minute. Barcelona pilled up the pressure, but Ferran (again), Raphinha and Lewandowski couldn’t use their chances. Pedri broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after a mess up play by Celta defense.The guests opened the second half much better as the former Real Madrid player Rodriguez had two good chances, one of which was in the ‘must score’ column. Xavi tried to shake up his squad with a triple change half an hour before the end as Dembele, De Jong and Fati came in for Raphinha, Ferran and Pedri but nothing changed. In fact, as the time passed by, Celta was more and more dangerous and missed no less than four great opportunities in the last 10 minutes of the match. In the end, Barcelona survived and can now focus on the upcoming Champions League game against Inter.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 8FridayOsasuna – Valencia 0-2 (0-1)/Brasanac 90+3 – Kluivert 27, Diakhaby 53/SaturdayAlmeria – Rayo Vallecano 3-1 (3-0)/Robertone 8, Babic 17, Toure 39 – Catena 81/Atletico – Girona 2-1 (1-0)/Correa 5, 48 – Riquelme 66/Sevilla – Athletic Club 1-1 (1-0)/Torres 4 – Vesga 73/Getafe – Real Madrid 0-1 (0-1)/Militao 3/SundayValladolid – Betis 0-0Cadiz – Espanyol 2-2 (1-0)/Chust 41, Perez 78 – Joselu 51, 67/Sociedad – Villareal 1-0 (1-0)/Mendez 33/Barcelona – Celta (1-0)/Pedri 17 -Monday22.00: (3.25) Elche (3.00) Mallorca (2.65)***odds are subject to change
