This Saturday was the first game that saw Xavi on the helm of Barcelona, but the game certainly did not go according to plan. Barcelona began Xavi’s era by blowing three goals on the road against Celta Vigo, something very few fans could’ve predicted, after the first half.
Speaking of the first half, Barca totally dominated the first 45 minutes of the match. From the start of the game, it seemed that everything was going according to plan and Xavi and team would have plenty to celebrate that day. The score tally was opened in the 5th minute after a Jordi Alba pass found Fati, who had no problem scoring to put Barcelona ahead this early. And it didn’t take long for Barca to double their lead – Sergio Busquets fonud the net thirteen minutes later, with Gonzalez providing the assist. In the 34th minute Jordi Alba came through with his second assist of the game, after Depay put Barcelona three goals ahead.
With the first half, and what appeared to be, the game, in the bag, no one cou;d’ve predicted what would happen next. The second half opened strong for Barcelona, but they were quickly stunned by Aspas in the 52nd minute. A goal in the 74th by Nolito and Celta Vigo found themselves trailing only a goal with plenty of time left on the clock. But that equalizer didn’t seem to come, after regular time drew to an end. Alas, six minutes into extra time and Aspas was the hero for Celta Vigo once again, scoring with literally seconds left to play.
A disappointing start for Xavi, the former Barca midfielder going through the full circle of emotions between the two halves of the match. Final score: Celta Vigo 3 – 3 Barcelona.
