Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is suitably wary of Celta Vigo after watching his side recover from two goals behind and win in last-gasp style at home to Os Celestes last season.
The visitors were 3-1 ahead after 63 minutes on that occasion – including a Borja Iglesias hat-trick – before losing to a 98th-minute Raphinha penalty at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
“When we look back at all the matches we’ve played against them… every match is tough,” said Flick, whose side are back in action after their surprise Champions League semi-final exit to Atletico Madrid.
“We have to play at our best. It won’t be easy because they always do a great job and can control the game well.
“[La Liga] is the only competition left. We’ve had a couple of days of rest and the feeling and the atmosphere [in the squad] are extraordinary.
“Step by step, match by match, we need to perform at our highest level. We have to learn from past defeats. I see and feel that we can do it.”
Seventh last season, sixth-placed Celta Vigo are two points behind Real Betis in fifth but have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Those defeats included a 6-1 aggregate loss to Freiburg in the Europa League quarter-finals and, in their last league game on, a 3-0 home thrashing by bottom side Oviedo.
“We’ve had a very heavy workload of matches and training, ” said head coach Claudio Giraldez. “We need to get back to our best level – the best version of each of us, mine first and foremost.
“We know we haven’t been playing well in the last few matches and I see everyone trying to figure out why and adjusting the aspects of our game that haven’t gone well.
“Barcelona have every attacking resource a football team could have. We’ve hurt them in the matches we’ve played against them.
“Last year we came close there. After going 3-1 up, we weren’t able to push forward with everything we had, nor were we able to defend properly. We fell a bit short.”
Barcelona v Celta Vigo team news
Defender Andreas Christensen (knee) and Raphinha (hamstring) are sidelined for Barcelona, who have doubts over Fermin Lopez because the winger has been training in a protective mask after requiring stitches.
Frenkie de Jong could make his first start since recovering from injury, but fellow midfielder Marc Bernal may not feature because of a severe left-ankle sprain.
Sweden centre-back Carl Starfelt will miss a sixth straight game for Celta Vigo. “We’re worried,” said Giraldez.
“It’s not ideal; he’s not recovering well from the injury. He’s not training with the group at all. His back is bothering him.
“We’re taking it day by day, seeing how he is, and hopefully he can be back as soon as possible. He’s the one who’s most worried.”
Winger Hugo Alvarez (ankle), wideman Mihailo Ristic (muscle) and midfielder Miguel Roman (foot) are injured and defender Javi Rodriguez is a doubt.
