FC Barcelona - RC Celta de Vigo: BARÇA SEEK TO EXTEND UNBEATEN RUN AGAINST ASPAS' CELTA

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April 19, 2025

FC Barelona - RC Celta de Vigo

The historic Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys will host a fascinating LaLiga encounter this Saturday as FC Barcelona welcome RC Celta de Vigo in a fixture that has produced its fair share of surprises in recent years.

Barcelona enter the match in imperious form, unbeaten in their last 12 LaLiga matches with 10 wins and 2 draws. The Catalan giants are one of only three teams across Europe's top five leagues to remain undefeated in 2025, alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Roma. This remarkable run has positioned them firmly in the title race as the season enters its critical final stretch.

Despite their current momentum, Barcelona will be wary of a Celta side that has proven to be something of a thorn in their side over recent seasons. Since 2017-18, the Galician outfit has collected points in eight of their 15 meetings with the Blaugrana in LaLiga (3 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses). Only Real Madrid has managed to take points off Barcelona more frequently during this period.

"We have maximum respect for Celta," explained Barcelona head coach Hans-Dieter Flick in his pre-match press conference. "They are a team that always gives us problems, with dangerous attacking players and a clear tactical approach. We'll need to be at our best to secure the three points."

Barcelona's home record against Celta does offer encouragement, having won 11 of their last 14 home encounters in LaLiga, including the last three in succession. A victory on Saturday would see them win four consecutive home matches against the Galicians for the first time since March 2014.

The offensive capabilities of both sides make for an intriguing matchup. Barcelona and Celta rank among the four most clinical teams in LaLiga this season in terms of shot conversion rate. The hosts lead the league with an impressive 16% conversion rate, while Celta's 12.5% places them fourth behind only Barcelona, Atlético Madrid (13.9%), and Real Madrid (12.7%).

Barcelona's Polish marksman Robert Lewandowski will be looking to add to his impressive record against Celta. The striker has netted five goals in five appearances against the Galicians in LaLiga – only against Alavés and Valencia (both seven) has he scored more in the competition.

On the opposite side, Celta's legendary captain Iago Aspas presents the most significant threat to Barcelona's defense. The 37-year-old forward has scored 11 goals in 20 matches against Barcelona in LaLiga, more than any other player has managed against the Catalan side in the entire 21st century. Barcelona is tied with Athletic Club as Aspas' favorite opponent in Spain's top flight.

"Aspas always seems to find an extra gear against us," admitted Barcelona defender Jules Koundé. "His movement and finishing are top-class, and we know we'll need to be especially vigilant to keep him quiet."

Celta arrive in Barcelona with growing confidence in their away performances. They are unbeaten in their last four LaLiga away matches (2 wins, 2 draws), as many undefeated away games as in their previous 15 trips in the competition. Even more impressively, they have won their last two consecutive away fixtures – one more victory would see them win three straight away games in the top flight for the first time since January 2018 under then-coach Juan Carlos Unzué.

The match also presents an interesting coaching subplot. Celta manager Claudio Giráldez has the opportunity to become only the third coach to avoid defeat in both seasonal meetings with Hans-Dieter Flick in LaLiga or Bundesliga, after Manuel Pellegrini with Real Betis (2024-25) and Urs Fischer with Union Berlin (2020-21).

With Barcelona determined to maintain their unbeaten run in 2025 and Celta looking to continue their impressive away form, Saturday's clash promises goals and excitement. The Blaugrana have found the net in each of their last 11 matches against Celta in LaLiga – their longest scoring streak against the Galicians in the 21st century – suggesting spectators at the Olímpic should witness attacking football from both sides.

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data. Photo: source XYZ