FC Barcelona will take part in Sunday’s La Liga match against Celta de Vigo after receiving a warning from their coach.
FC Barcelona midfielder takes in a never-before-seen view of the Camp Nou
Head coach Hansi Flick didn’t mince words as he previewed the trip to Vigo, the home of one of Spain’s most in-form clubs and a notoriously tough venue.
“Celta are in great form and are probably in a better situation than us,” admitted Flick. “It all depends on our attitude. We want to win and go into the break with three points.” These comments set an alarming tone for a Barça team that has struggled to maintain momentum and consistency, especially compared to the rising Celta de Vigo side.
Fitness guru reveals surprising changes after 3 months of intense training
Celta is doing well, Barça are searching
Barcelona’s opponent on Sunday is on a five-game winning streak in La Liga, Copa del Rey and Europa League. Under young coach Claudio Giraldes, Celta have become an unpredictable team. They became a team that rotated their lineup fluidly and played without fear.
Lamine Yamal and FC Barcelona star player dress up in a flashy collaboration
Meanwhile, Barça are still trying to find their defensive structure and rhythm under coach Flick. The German manager pointed to recent problems in giving opponents too much space. “In Brugge we found that the defensive line sometimes dropped too deep. The forwards were farther apart than they needed to be. We need to work together better, both with and without the ball.”
This fixture comes just before the important international break until March, and the stakes are even higher for Barcelona to regain confidence and pick up points.
Injuries add to Flick’s concerns
The team still lacks players in important positions. Defender Jules Kounde was unable to complete the team’s final training session and remains a big question mark. His absence will put even more pressure on Barcelona’s backline, which is already under intense scrutiny.
Friday brought a brief emotional uplift. More than 21,000 fans attended the public training session at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. Flick seemed struck by the atmosphere, saying: “My first impression was great. You could feel the history of the stadium. It would definitely help if we could play there.”
But the reality remains. Barcelona must quickly prove that their desire can lead to results. While Celta are pushing forward into the European race, Barça need confidence ahead of the break. If Barcelona stumble, the title race could quickly intensify.
