#3 Barcelona’s squad rotation backfires
Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano were all missing from Barca’s first-choice starting XI as Enrique started with the trio of Busquets, Gomes and Rafinha in midfield, while Messi was replaced by Arda Turan in the Barca attack. Mascherano’s loss of form meant that Mathieu would start his second game in succession.
The effect of the squad rotation was felt dearly by the visitors. None of the players in Barca’s midfield trio was able to draw out the Celta midfield players. The disciplined performance by the hosts’ midfielders also gave Barca no inroads to work the ball through.
After the halftime scoreline of 3-0, Rafinha was withdrawn for Iniesta, whose ability to play through packed areas gave Barca the cutting edge they had missed for in the entire first half, but the Blaugrana could not complete their comeback because of their own failings in other departments.
