Barca ease to Celta win

Goals from Adriano, David Villa and Jordi Alba were enough to give Barcelona a 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo.

With Tito Vilanova's side looking to maintain their 100 per cent record so far this season, it was perhaps no surprise that they dominated the opening exchanges.

Paco Herrera's recently promoted team were struggling to cope with the home team, and they almost got the breakthrough on 10 minutes. A delightful pass from Lionel Messi found Andres Iniesta, but his shot went just over the bar.

The Blaugrana weren't having it all their own way. An incisive break-away from Celta saw Iago Aspas bearing down on goal, but Victor Valdes was there to make a crucial one-on-one save.

Inevitably, the goal did eventually come however, as Pedro crossed for Adriano, who tapped in on 21 minutes.

Just three minutes later though, and the visitors punished the Camp Nou club for their defensive frailties. A shot from Alex Lopez was parried by Valdes, only for Bermejo to tap in from close-range.

The goals just kept coming. On 26 minutes, a pull-back from the byline by Iniesta found Villa, who passed the ball into an empty net to make it 2-1.

After the break, the hosts continued to monopolise the ball, but OS Celestes remained resolute at the back, keeping Barca at bay.

On the hour though, their resistance was broken. A flick from Villa found Alba inside the area, and the former Valencia full-back rounded Javi Varas to score.

Vilanova’s men were much more controlled in the latter stages, moving the ball around with very little pressure from Celta and waltzed to, what was in the end, a comfortable victory.

 

Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo

Scorers: Adriano 21 (B), Villa 26 (B), Alba 61 (B); Bermejo 24 (CV)

Barcelona: Valdes; Adriano (Dani Alves 39), Busquets, Mascherano, Alba; Iniesta, Fabregas (Bartra 45), Xavi; Pedro, Villa (Sanchez 78), Messi

Celta Vigo: Javi Varas; Hugo Mallo, Tunez, Vila, Lago; Alex Lopez (Park 80), Oubina; Augusto (Toni 88), Krohn-Dehli; Iago Aspas, Bermejo

La Liga - Club News