Second-half goals from Maxi Gomez and Iago Aspas saw Celta Vigo defeat a much-changed Barcelona side at Balaidos on Saturday night with a victory that should be enough to secure survival in La Liga for the Galician club.
With the title clinched last weekend at home to Levante and their Champions League semi-final second leg away to Liverpool ahead on Tuesday at Anfield, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde left out eight first-team players for the game in Vigo, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and more.
Barca, with youngster Riqui Puig impressing in midfield, dominated the possession and the play in the first half but created little in the way of clear chances on another difficult evening for January signing Kevin-Prince Boateng.
And Celta, having failed to make much impact in the opening 45 minutes, improved notably after the break.
Fran Escriba’s side thought they had gone ahead when Nestor Araujo poked home from close range after Jasper Cillessen had saved a header from Gustavo Cabral, but that strike was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.
But Celta did take the lead later in the half when Maxi volleyed home a cross from Ryad Boudebouz, beating Cillessen at his near post with a fine finish after 67 minutes.
It was a little unfortunate for Barca, though, as defender Jean-Clair Todibo was off the pitch receiving treatment at the time.
Valverde’s side, without Ousmane Dembele from the sixth minute after the French winger suffered a hamstring strain which looks certain to rule him out of Tuesday’s trip to Liverpool, never really looked like getting back in the game after going behind.
And Celta won a penalty with four minutes left as Moussa Wage was adjudged to have handled a Brais Mendez ball into the box, the spot kick given after another VAR review.
Aspas kept his cool to send Cillessen the wrong way and Celta’s win moves the Galicians up to 14th place and 40 points, five clear of 18th-placed Valladolid (who have three games left).
Celta’s victory also confirmed relegation for Rayo Vallecano, 4-1 losers at Levante earlier in the day.
At the top, meanwhile, Barca’s lead is still nine points over Atletico with two games left after Diego Simeone’s side lost 3-0 at Espanyol on Saturday.
Relive Celta Vigo vs Barcelona LIVE with Standard Sport!
Can't see the blog? Click here for the desktop version.
