'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Final score: Celta Vigo 1-1 Barcelona
Goals: Jose Arnaiz 15' (Barcelona), Pione Sisto 31' (Celta Vigo)
Celta Vigo played host to Barcelona in the first leg of the round of 16 Copa del Rey tie. Barcelona rested few of their first team stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Andres Iniesta, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ivan Rakitic, and Jordi Alba started on the bench.
Record signing Ousmane Dembele returned to the Barca bench after a lengthy injury layoff. On the other hand, Celta Vigo did not experiment too much with their lineup.
Barca took the lead early in the first half through Jose Arnaiz, but it finished all square at halftime as Pione Sisto equalized at the half-hour mark. In spite of some good chances, both teams could not score the decisive goal and the game finished 1-1 at the Estadio de Balaidos.
On that note, let's take a look at the key talking points from the Copa del Rey clash:
#5 The Celestes were the better side in the first half
The home side started the game well and settled into a nice passing rhythm very early in the game. They created some good chances in the first 10 minutes and put Barcelona on the back foot right from the starting whistle.
Unzue’s men moved the ball at pace on both flanks and never gave a moment of peace for the Barcelona fullbacks, Lucas Digne and Nelson Semedo.
For their positive start, it was Valverde’s men who took the lead in the game. Arnaiz fired in a low cross from Andre Gomez to put Barcelona ahead.
They dominated possession, but their passing in the final third let them down. Celta Vigo equalized in the 31st minute as Barcelona was caught on the counter. It ended all square at the break, but Celta Vigo were certainly the better side during the first 45 minutes.
#4 Denis Suarez and Aleix Vidal disappoint
It was an exciting 90 minutes at the Estadio de Balaidos. Both teams created chances, but the finishing lacked conviction, especially the Blaugrana. Without the rested duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Valverde started Denis Suarez and Aleix Vidal on either side of Jose Arnaiz in an attacking front three.
Though Arnaiz had a great outing, Vidal and Suarez struggled throughout the game in the final third. Deployed on the right, Aleix Vidal literally disappeared for most parts of the game. He struggled to make an impact and his movements in the final third let Barcelona down.
Denis Suarez too was disappointing. He was closed down quickly on multiple occasions and was never allowed any time on the ball. He missed a sitter of a chance in the 59th minute when Semedo found him at the back post with a beautiful cross, to summarize a frustrating night for the 23-year-old.
#3 Nelson Semedo and Pione Sisto shone for their respective sides
Nelson Semedo was the best Barcelona player on display at the Estadio de Balaidos. He literally owned the right flank and produced a stunning display on Thursday.
In the 8th minute of the game, he made a brilliant challenge to stop Iago Aspas from taking a clear shot on goal. He showed a lot of pace on the night as he ran back and form tirelessly on the right flank.
Late in the first half, he made a couple of brilliant tackles to stop Jonny and Sisto. He was solid throughout the game and made 6 successful tackles, most by a player on the night.
His contributions did not stop with that. He was a creative force for Barcelona and also made some brilliant crosses. He created 3 good chances but Suarez and Sergi Roberto failed to capitalize on them. Overall, an eye-catching display from the 24-year-old Portuguese defender.
Meanwhile, Pione Sisto continued his good start to the season with a brilliant performance. The Danish left winger was lively throughout the night and capped his stunning show with an all-important goal.
#2 Barcelona were unlucky not to grab the winner
After a lacklustre display in the first half, Barcelona started the second on a positive note and created some good chances. The combination of Suarez and Arnaiz forced Sergio Alvarez into making a brilliant save in the 50th minute.
Barcelona came close again in the 56th minute when Arnaiz's diving header went wide of the post. Denis Suarez missed a golden opportunity in the 59th minute and Sergio Busquets rattled the bar from 25 yards two minutes later.
Barcelona had an opportunity to seal the game in the 91st minute when Semedo bursts down the right flank to find Sergi Roberto at the near post. Sergi Roberto latched on to the ball, but could only hit the post from close range.
#1 Arnaiz continues to impress in Copa del Rey; Dembele returns
The 22-year-old seems to be having a great run in the Copa del Rey this season. With first-team chances hard to come by in league football, the youngster is making the most of his opportunities in the cup competition.
He led the attack in the absence of Messi and Suarez to score his third goal of the campaign in three cup games this season. He was real livewire against Celta Vigo but his teammates let him down with some wayward service.
Another positive from the game was that Barcelona's record-signing Frenchman - Ousmane Dembele, made his long-awaited return from injury - his first appearance for three and a half months. He was given 18 minutes on the night and the 20-year-old made some good runs and created a couple of good opportunities.
