Something has changed in the team. Barcelona were resilient, tough and determined. They showed it against Celta Vigo, where they had not won in La Liga since 2015.
As predicted by SPORT, Ronald Koeman didn’t make any changes from the team that trounced Villarreal 4-0 last weekend. Vigo’s dismal weather wasn’t messing around and neither was he.
The first chance fell to Antoine Griezmann, a tricky volley, which he pinged high over the crossbar and into the empty stands at Balaidos.
The second fell to Ansu, and you can guess what happened next. Philippe Coutinho passed him the ball on the edge of the box and he burst into it before outlandishly finishing with the outside of his right foot.
After a brace in the opener, Ansu followed it up in the best possible fashion, with another lethal finish.
At the other end Clement Lenglet went into the book for a foul on the edge of the box but Iago Aspas hammered the free-kick into the ball.
His centre-back partner Gerard Pique had a scare too when he was sent off for bringing down Denis Suarez, but the midfielder was shown to be a long way offside and the card rescinded.
The red card was out again quickly though, and it was Lenglet who was the recipient. He fouled Denis as they ran for the ball and was dismissed for a second yellow. An extremely harsh call.
Griezmann, who had been quiet, paid the price, hooked for Ronald Araujo as Koeman filled the gap.
It was a big test for Barcelona and they started off well, with some help from Lucas Olaza, putting Messi’s cross through his own net at the near post.
The Argentine star, Barca's captain, was committed and working hard, on and off the ball. You love to see it.
As Barcelona began to tire, Celta came into the game. Miguel Baeza’s effort was deflected onto the crossbar after Neto parried Nolito’s effort.
However the hosts could not score and Barca wrapped up the points, Messi charging into the area and his effort being deflected into Sergi Roberto’s path, for the defender to smash home. Goodnight.