On a bright Saturday afternoon, FC Barcelona is poised to face Celta Vigo at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in a crucial La Liga encounter. As the Catalan giants look to extend their lead at the top of the table, all eyes will be on Robert Lewandowski, who is on the brink of achieving two significant career milestones.
Lewandowski, the 36-year-old Polish centre-forward, has been a standout performer for Barcelona since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022. Heading into this match, he is just one appearance away from his 100th La Liga game in a Barcelona shirt, and should he find the net, he will also celebrate his 100th goal for the club. Currently, Lewandowski has played 99 La Liga matches, scoring 67 goals, with an impressive record of 69 wins, 14 draws, and 19 losses.
This season marks Lewandowski's most prolific campaign yet, having already netted 40 goals across all competitions, including 25 in La Liga, placing him ahead of his closest rival, Kylian Mbappe, in the race for the Pichichi Trophy. Barcelona has secured his future until 2026, delaying the search for a new centre-forward until next year. The match against Celta is not just about personal milestones; it's a vital step in Barcelona's quest for the La Liga title.
Barcelona comes into this match looking to bounce back after their midweek defeat to Borussia Dortmund, which ended their unbeaten run in 2025. Despite that setback, they remain strong contenders for the La Liga title, having not lost in the league since December. A victory today would see them extend their lead at the top to seven points ahead of rivals Real Madrid, who are chasing closely behind.
However, Celta Vigo is not to be underestimated. Currently sitting seventh in La Liga, they are also vying for European qualification and will be eager to capitalize on any vulnerabilities in Barcelona’s lineup. The Galician side is well-coached and has a history of causing problems for the Catalan giants, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, has made three changes to his starting lineup from the last match, opting to rest Lamine Yamal after 24 consecutive starts. Ferran Torres replaces him, while Pedri and Iñigo Martínez return to bolster the midfield and defense, respectively. The starting XI for Barcelona is Szczesny; Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Gerard Martín; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Fermín López; Ferran Torres, Raphinha, and Lewandowski.
On the other side, Celta Vigo will miss key defender Carl Starfelt due to a hamstring injury, with Carlos Dominguez likely stepping in to fill the gap. Their starting lineup features Guaita; Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso; Pablo Durán, Fran Beltrán, Ilaix Moriba, Carreira; Iker Losada, Borja Iglesias, and Swedberg.
The match is set to kick off at 4:15 PM CET, and the referee for the encounter is Mario Melero López, with VAR overseen by Carlos del Cerro Grande. Fans can catch the action live on various platforms, including ESPN Deportes in the USA and Premier Sports in the UK.
As the teams take to the pitch, the atmosphere is electric, with Barcelona fans hoping to see their team secure a vital three points and witness Lewandowski etch his name further into the club's history. The stakes couldn't be higher, and with both teams eager to prove themselves, this match promises to be an exciting spectacle.
With Barcelona's title hopes on the line and Lewandowski chasing his dual milestones, fans are in for a treat as the action unfolds at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Will Lewandowski rise to the occasion and lead his team to victory, or will Celta Vigo pull off an upset? Stay tuned as the drama of La Liga continues!
