FC Barcelona managed to eke out a hard-fought 4-3 win over Celta Vigo today at Montjuic to stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga table to seven points.
After Ferran Torres gave the hosts an early lead, a Borja Iglesias hat-trick put the Galicians in firm control. With the scoreline at 3-1, Barça mounted a comeback as Dani Olmo and Raphinha scored in quick succession to make it 3-3.
Then, there was late drama in stoppage time as the Catalans were awarded a late penalty for a foul on Olmo, which Raphinha tucked away with ease to complete a brilliant comeback victory.
Hansi Flick praises Raphinha
Speaking to DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo) after the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hailed Raphinha and the rest of the team for their comeback spirit.
“When you win games like this, it is something you enjoy,” said Flick.
“It was not a surprise to suffer so much. They are a great team and they have a great coach. We had already warned them about it in the press conference,” he continued.
The German tactician then hailed Barcelona’s match-winner, Raphinha, saying: “Raphinha is very important, I love him, like the other players, but he is a leader, he always has that positive thinking that he manages to pass on to the rest of his teammates.”
On the team’s overall performance, he added: “I’m happy with how we reacted after 1-3. The team never gives up and that’s the mentality. The goal we conceded, the second one, was a mistake. I’m still happy with the players’ response in the final stretch.”
When asked for an update on the condition of Robert Lewandowski, who had to be taken off in the 77th minute with an injury, Flick said: “We have to wait until tomorrow to do tests and find out more.”
