Barcelona displayed the art of winning ugly, claiming three unconvincing points away to mid-table Celta Vigo.
Victory was a non-negotiable for the Catalans, who maintained a four-point gap ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid with nine games remaining in La Liga.
The Blaugrana were always going to be wary of a tricky trip to the Balaidos, having suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to the same side back in November. For most of the first half, the league leaders struggled for any momentum or composure and in fact were lucky not to go behind after Joaquin Larrivey missed a golden opportunity just prior to the main break.
Upon resumption from the interval, the game continued in the same listless manner as the first half, somewhat surprisingly considering Real Madrid had won 9-1 earlier in the day. With the game headed dangerously for a draw, Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu scored for the second successive game with the match-winner in the 73rd minute. It was an unconvincing yet priceless victory for Luis Enrique’s treble-chasing squad.
Ugly wins in April are as good as gold
Eight games in 23 April days for Barcelona began with this away trip to Celta Vigo. Considering the heavy fixture congestion pending, including a tantalising Champions League quarter-final tie against PSG, three points in any manner is more relevant than being aesthetically pleasing. Clearly boss Enrique will never resort to Jose Mourinho-esque ‘parking the bus’ tactics, however it is clear a more pragmatic approach may be seen in the coming games as a means to ensure maximum points.
The ability to grind out the odd 1-0 ugly victory away from home has rarely been associated with this Barca squad. That perception is slowly creeping away with the likes of summer signings Mathieu (a former Valencia captain) and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic adding a newfound steel and toughness missing since Carles Puyol was at his peak.
Celta Vigo’s season not meandering to a pointless conclusion
Celta Vigo is not in the business of lying down and letting the big boys trample all over them. Unlike the hapless Granada side, who meekly surrendered 9-1 to Real overnight, Argentinean manager Eduardo Berizzo has his squad thriving on the challenge of facing the top sides. In November, Celta secured a shock 1-0 win at the Camp Nou. To validate that result, Os Celestes also secured a 2-0 home victory over reigning champions Atletico Madrid as well as a 2-2 draw at the Vicente Calderon.
The Vigo-based club did suffer a 3-0 hammering away to Real Madrid in December, though has the opportunity to define the title race at home to the European champions on 27 April. The result so far is seven points in five games against three of Europe’s elite clubs, vindicating Berizzo’s refreshingly positive approach. Mid-table security is now all but certain and thoroughly deserved.
Barcelona has found its central defensive partnership
Barcelona looks to have finally settled on its first choice central defensive partnership. Gerard Pique is back to his best which places him on the podium of world’s best centre-halves. France international Mathieu is playing the Puyol role – not as elegant on the ball as Pique but adds leadership and toughness.
Furthermore, Pique at 187cm and Mathieu at 192cm add a new dimension for the Catalans – an aerial threat at set pieces. Javier Mascherano has manfully filled in at centre-back and may yet deputise there in certain games to come, but is not a natural centre-back and is a liability in the air. Barcelona finally settling on the Pique-Mathieu duo may prove to be a pivotal moment in its quest for a historic treble.
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