Veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is confident Barcelona will return from the international break a stronger side, following their 4-2 triumph over Celta Vigo to maintain pressure on Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga.
Lewandowski got Barcelona off to a perfect start, converting from the spot in the 10th minute after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Marcos Alonso. However, Celta responded almost immediately through Sergio Carreira, who rounded Wojciech Szczesny to slot home.
Marcus Rashford, making an impact on loan, struck the woodwork before turning provider, with his pinpoint cross setting up Lewandowski’s second goal in the 37th minute.
Celta refused to back down and levelled again through Borja Iglesias’s powerful strike, but Lamine Yamal restored Barca’s lead just before halftime with a low effort that goalkeeper Ionut Radu failed to keep out.
Barcelona exercised greater control on the game in the second half and Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in style, flicking in another Rashford assist to make it 4-2 with 17 minutes remaining.
“We are very happy. Vigo is always a difficult place for us to go, but now we are fewer points away from Real Madrid,” Lewandowski said after the game.
“In the second half, we had the game under greater control, but in the first, Celta scored very easily.
“At half-time we talked about what we could improve, and after the fourth goal we played more calmly.
“We will analyse after the game how we can improve. Now we have two weeks to switch off, but when we come back, we’re going to play much better.”
With Real Madrid failing to beat Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona have now cut their deficit at the summit of La Liga to just three points. However, they have their work cut out with Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis all lined up after the break.
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