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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

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Written by
Matt Law
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
1Real Madrid20144247202746
2Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao20116331181339
5Villarreal209653831733
6Mallorca209381925-630
7Real Sociedad208481714328
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Rayo Vallecano206862323026
10Osasuna206862429-526
11Sevilla207582329-626
12Real BetisBetis206772226-425
13Celta Vigo2073102932-324
14Las PalmasLas Palmas2064102533-822
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Valencia2037101929-1016
20Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515


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