Celta humble Barça and La Liga without the Catalans

Celta-vs-Barcelona-2015

Celta Vigo humbled Barcelona last night by beating the Catalan giants by 4 goals to 1. I didn’t watch the match just kept tabs on the scores and I thought that Luis Enrique had fielded a B team or something when I saw that the scoreline was 3-0.

I was then informed that Barça had a great side out with Mascherano and Piqué at the back and the super trio of Neymar Suárez and Messi up front.

So what went wrong at the Estadio Municipal de Balaídos? It was an embarrassing first defeat of the season in a game in which Luis Enrique had no answers. Eduardo Berizzo’s side gave such an exhibition of great football that it left the Catalans stunned and without words.

In the first half Celta punished a sloppy Barcelona side with 2 goals. The first came from ex Benfica man Nolito (Manuel Agudo Durán) as he curled the ball past a hapless Marc Andre ter Stegen. Barça failed to react and Piqué produced some suicidal defending to put the ball on a silver platter for Iago Aspas, who duly punished the Azulgrana keeper ‘a la Messi’ by chipping him.

The second half got under way and Luis Enrique must have had a few words for his players as they came out with more zest. However, Barça’s zest was cut short as a Barcelona corner was turned into a Celta attack and Aspas appeared once more to beat ter Stegen with a quality finish. That effectively put the game to bed as Neymar got a late goal with Swedish forward John Guidetti finishing off Barcelona in style.

La Liga without Barça

Could you imagine La Liga without Barça? No, neither can I. However, this is what Barcelona face if the Catalans get their longed for independence. Over the past few weeks we’ve had the boos and whistles directed at Gerard Piqué for his outspoken comments and Pep Guardiola alleging that if Catalonia had a national side when he played, he would have rather played for them than Spain.

But for all Pep’s bravado and outspokenness, he was paid handsomely by FC Barcelona as their number 4 which leads me to a question: Would Pep have played for Barcelona had they been in a league on their own playing against Catalan sides? I wonder.

This is what the club faces should Catalonia gain independence from Spain. No more playing in the Champions League, no more Clasicos and no more La Liga.

Catalonia would not be considered a European state automatically and would have to wait for some 6 or 7 years in order to qualify. Could Barcelona as a club survive seven years without Champions league football? I don’t think so. They would have no superstars either as the club wouldn’t be able to afford their wages. A Barça without Messi is unthinkable, isn’t it?

But do not fret! I honestly think that Catalonia will not gain its independence simply because of the above. The fans wouldn’t let this happen and although the club is desperately trying to keep mum on the subject, they wouldn’t like the idea either.

So there you have it, if Catalonia becomes free from Spain, there will be no more La Liga, Champions League or Clasicos to look forward to. Have a great Thursday!

About Aaron

My name's Aaron and I'm a great Barça fan. I like to tell it like it is and if there is something I don't like about the club or something that needs addressing, you'll know!