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Celta Vigo logo
La Liga | Gameweek 38
Jun 4, 2023 at 8pm UK
Estadio de Balaidos
Barcelona logo

Celta Vigo
2 - 1
Barcelona

Veiga (42', 65')
Cervi (82'), Tapia (90+6')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fati (79')
Torres (55'), Raphinha (62')

Five players missing from Barcelona squad against Celta Vigo

Five players missing from Barcelona squad against Celta Vigo
© Reuters
Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Ronald Araujo, Pedri and Alejandro Balde will miss Barcelona's final La Liga game of the season against Celta Vigo.

Barcelona head coach Xavi has left Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets out of his squad for Sunday evening's final La Liga match of the campaign against relegation-threatened Celta Vigo.

Alba and Busquets are both leaving Camp Nou on free transfers later this month, and the pair said their goodbyes in last weekend's home success over Mallorca, so they have not been named in the travelling party for the contest in Vigo.

Alejandro Balde is also absent for Barcelona, with the Spain international picking up an ankle injury during the last game against Mallorca, and he is now working to be fit for the start of pre-season.

Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo and Pedri remain on the sidelines due to muscular issues, with Xavi not taking any chances when it comes to the long-term fitness of the duo.

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets applauds fans as he is substituted during his last match for FC Barcelona at Camp Nou on May 28, 2023© Reuters

The absences have allowed Xavi to call up some youth players for the contest, with Marc Guiu, Pau Prim, Dani Rodriguez and Unai Hernandez all in the squad.

"The goal tomorrow is to win and give a good image. And others like keeping a clean sheet, winning [Robert] Lewandowski's Pichichi award... Celta are in a difficult situation, but we want to win," Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

Lewandowski is currently top of the scoring ranks in La Liga on 23, five ahead of Karim Benzema, who will be involved in Real Madrid's final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona secured the La Liga title in the middle of May, but Sunday's contest is huge for Celta, who sit 17th in the table, just one point ahead of 18th-placed Real Valladolid.

Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on April 26, 2023© Reuters

Xavi also again reiterated a desire to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer, with the Argentina international set to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer later this month.

"The priorities are very clear. I would really like Messi to return, I have spoken with him, and I have already said that it depends on him. From here, apart from Leo, the other priority is a pivot. That would be the ideal scenario," added the manager at his pre-match press conference.

"I'm not responsible for the financial issue. I only know that Messi would help us a lot in terms of football."

Barcelona have won 28, drawn four and lost five of their 37 league matches this season to collect 88 points, which has left them 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Barcelona squad vs. Celta Vigo:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Christensen, Kounde, E Garcia, Alonso; Kessie, Roberto, Gavi, Prim, Torre, U Hernandez, F de Jong; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Guiu, D Rodriguez

ID:515522:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4992:No Data Analysis info

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How you voted: Celta Vigo vs Barcelona

Celta Vigo
27.1%
Draw
12.1%
Barcelona
60.7%
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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