Barcelona experienced a day of joy after their dramatic victory over Celta Vigo in La Liga. This last-minute win kept their title hopes alive, as the gap with their rivals remained intact. However, the win was not flawless. Under Hansi Flick’s management, the team made several defensive errors, which also affected their Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, even jeopardizing their semifinal qualification.

Barcelona’s defensive issues have become more prominent lately. Wojciech Szczęsny, the Polish goalkeeper who previously had brilliant performances, made costly mistakes in the last two matches. He conceded a penalty against Dortmund and, against Celta, his poor positioning led to the first goal. These errors allowed opponents to easily breach Barcelona’s defense. Additionally, the defensive line also struggled.

Ronald Araújo’s weak clearance led to Dortmund’s third goal, while against Celta, Iñigo Martínez, Frenkie de Jong, and Jules Koundé made mistakes that resulted in two conceded goals. Iñigo Martínez, who has had a stellar season, performed poorly in this match. With crucial upcoming fixtures against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, Inter in the Champions League, and La Liga clashes against Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and Villarreal, Barcelona cannot afford to continue these mistakes, as rivals will capitalize on them.

Despite these weaknesses, Barcelona also displayed positive aspects. Hansi Flick praised his team’s fighting spirit after the match. Even when trailing 1-3 in the 63rd minute, Barcelona refused to surrender and turned the game around with three goals. Flick’s tactical substitutions also played a key role. The introductions of Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo in the second half changed the game’s dynamics. Olmo scored the second goal, and Yamal assisted Rafinha for the third.

Rafinha’s return to the left wing, where he performs best, also stemmed from these changes. Olmo’s return to form is crucial for the remainder of the season, as he showcased his scoring ability against Celta. Meanwhile, Barcelona had previously relied on opponents’ own goals in earlier matches. However, Robert Lewandowski’s injury and its impact on future games remain concerning.

This victory revealed Barcelona’s dual nature: a team with high attacking potential and unmatched spirit, but fragile defensively. Addressing these weaknesses is essential for success in upcoming competitions.