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ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI UNSTOPPABLE — BARCELONA BLAST CELTA, TITLE CHASE HEATS UP

Robert Lewandowski's hat-trick fires Barcelona to a thrilling 4-2 win at Celta Vigo, moving them second. Lamine Yamal also scored and Marcus Rashford provided two assists in a victory marred by Frenkie de Jong's late red card.

Robert Lewandowski unstoppable — Barcelona blast Celta, title chase heats up
Lewandowski powers Barca closer - Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images

At Rayo Vallecano, Hansi Flick's team took advantage of Madrid's 0-0 tie earlier, thanks to the experienced Polish striker's hat-trick.

In yet another exciting match brought upon by the champions' offensive strategy, teenager Lamine Yamal also scored for Barcelona, while Marcus Rashford provided two additional assists.

Barca's Frenkie de Jong was sent off late in the game after receiving two yellow cards, but the champions had already won and were in second place.

Lewandowski told Movistar, "Vigo is usually tough for us, but we have fewer points (between us and Real Madrid) today."

"We talked at halftime about how we could improve, but in the first half, Celta scored with ease. In the second half, we had the game more under control."

A frantic first half resulted from Flick's insistence that Barcelona would not alter their style despite recent setbacks, particularly Wednesday's 3–3 Champions League stalemate with Club Brugge.

Ten minutes after Marcos Alonso stopped Fermin Lopez's attempt, the champions took the lead through a penalty kick from Lewandowski, but Celta equalised a minute later.

Celta surged away to score after Lopez threw Rashford through, but Rashford wasted a one-on-one opportunity.

Sergio Carreira sprinted in behind after the Galicians took advantage of Barcelona's high defensive line, and he maintained composure to defeat Wojciech Szczesny.

Flick urged his squad to put up more of a fight without Pedri, Raphinha, and Joan Garcia, among other injured players, and they appeared more motivated at Balaidos.

Ionut Radu of Celta stopped Lewandowski from close range as he followed up, Rashford turned the rebound against the post, and Ilaix Moriba blocked Lopez's attempt.

Resuming his best form, Lewandowski pushed Barca ahead on 37 minutes with his second goal after an inviting cross from Rashford. Radu could have done better with his shot, but it slipped past him.

Two minutes before halftime, Borja Iglesias hammered a rocket from the edge of the box over Szczesny and into the back of the net as Celta swiftly responded once more.

But when Yamal, a teenage sensation, beat Radu at his near post after Rashford's deflected cross, Barca took the lead.

Compared to the chaotic first half, both teams were much more stable in the second half and had a lot fewer opportunities.

Despite being behind, Celta was forced to sit back as Barcelona controlled the ball.

After 73 minutes, Lewandowski gave his team a two-goal lead with a header from Rashford's corner to complete his hat-trick.

The striker's seventh league goal of the season in just four starts demonstrated that, despite a season marred by injuries, his finishing ability has not decreased at the age of 37.

Rashford, who is now on loan at Manchester United, has contributed seven La Liga assists to help cover for the injured Raphinha.

After beating Radu, Yamal broke away and had a chance to score Barca's fifth goal late on, but his low drive struck the post.

Barca suffered a setback when De Jong was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time for stepping on Iago Aspas's foot.

Barcelona's triumph gave Flick and his team more confidence ahead of the forthcoming international break after they had only won two of their previous ten league games away from home at Balaidos.

Lewandowski stated, "We have two weeks to unplug now, but I hope we play a lot better when we come back. It is the perfect chance to improve things that are not functioning."

"I told Flick that I did not need a nap. I am so thrilled and feel great physically today."

AXEL DISASI, OTAMENDI OR NATHAN AKE ? THE SECRET LIST OF DEFENDERS OFFERED TO HANSI FLICK

Barcelona pivots to January signings after Andreas Christensen’s ACL injury. Nathan Ake and Axel Disasi lead the shortlist.

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Otamendi And De Vrij Linked As Barcelona Scour Market

Barcelona wasn't planning on doing much this January, but that might change since Andreas Christensen is out for months with an ACL injury.

Hansi Flick said he'd talk to Deco about it, and now everyone's throwing out names of possible short-term replacements for Barcelona in January.

If La Liga agrees Christensen is out long-term, Barca can replace his spot on the payroll with a new player. The catch? The new guy's salary can't be more than 80% of what Christensen makes.

So, who could Barca go after in January?

Disasi or Ake?

Diario Sport says Barcelona has already been offered a couple of players. Chelsea's Axel Disasi, who wants more playing time, is one option. He's stuck in Chelsea's bomb squad right now but was on loan at Aston Villa last season.

But here's the thing: Disasi can't go out on loan this January. Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea already used up their loan spots.

Sport also mentions Manchester City's Nathan Ake. He's not playing as much there and might move to get his World Cup hopes up. He's a versatile left-footer and supposedly has offers from other Premier League teams too.

Senesi, Otamendi, or De Vrij?

Mundo Deportivo has a bunch of other names. Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth keeps getting mentioned because he's likely leaving. Both Barcelona and Atletico are interested, and Bournemouth might sell him in January to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer.

MD also points out Nicolas Otamendi (37) and Stefan de Vrij (33) as possibilities for Barcelona. Otamendi is still doing well at Benfica and is their captain, while De Vrij might leave Inter since he's not playing much and his contract is almost up.

And the rest...

There are other rumors floating around too. Luiz Felipe from Rayo Vallecano, Diego Llorente at Real Betis, and Juan Foyth from Villarreal (remember that one?) are supposedly targets for Barcelona. Expect a lot more names to come up as we get closer to January.

WHY MARCUS RASHFORD BELIEVES BARCELONA PRESSURE IS BETTER THAN THE OLD TRAFFORD ENVIRONMENT

Marcus Rashford confirms he wants to stay at Barcelona permanently following a successful loan spell from Man United.

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Rashford has seven goals and eleven assists for Barcelona

Marcus Rashford says he's more driven to do well at Barcelona after moving from Manchester United, saying there's a positive kind of pressure at his new club.

Rashford, who joined the Spanish team on loan from his childhood club at the start of the season after being sidelined by Ruben Amorim, is enjoying life in Spain. He's scored seven goals and assisted 11 in 24 games this season.

The 28-year-old forward had said he wants to stay in Spain after his loan ends, with the club having the option to buy him for £30.3 million.

When asked if that was still his main goal, he told Sport, "Of course, that's what I want, but it's not the only reason I'm pushing myself."

I want to win. Barcelona is a great club known for winning, and there's a certain pressure that comes with that—but it's not a bad thing.

It's pressure you look forward to having while playing football. If I were at a club that didn't expect these things, it would be hard for me to stay motivated. This is a great place for me to continue my football career.

‘I think Man U gets extra flak because most fans in the country just don't like them, plain and simple,’ Harry Maguire told TNT Sports earlier this year.

When asked how he's settled into life in Barcelona, Rashford said, "I felt welcome from day one." I'm here to help the team and win trophies.

They had a great season last year, but things move fast in life and football, so we have to do it again.

I'm focused on that, and the staff and players know it, so it's all good.

Rashford came up through United's academy into the first team under Louis van Gaal in 2016 and was one of the club's most promising young players. But a rocky period at United, with six different managers, led to inconsistent performances in his later seasons.

After scoring 30 goals in Erik ten Hag's first season, he struggled to keep up his form, and Ruben Amorim's arrival marked the beginning of the end for the Englishman's time at Old Trafford.

Rashford joined Aston Villa less than three months after the Portuguese boss arrived. Amorim said he couldn't get Rashford on board with his ideas. "I couldn't get Marcus to see football or training the way I do," Amorim said then.

Sometimes a player works really well with one coach but not with another. I wish Rashford all the best.

Rashford's latest comments suggest he felt there was a problem with the level and type of pressure at the club.

Scott McTominay has also done well since leaving United, helping Napoli win the Serie A last season and getting a Ballon d'Or nomination.

He's not the only one to mention the intense criticism faced by United players. Harry Maguire said the pressure was on a totally different level compared to other clubs.

I think Man U gets extra flak because most fans in the country just don't like them, plain and simple, Maguire told TNT Sports earlier this year.

Everyone in the Premier League dislikes Man Utd, and they don’t want to see them do well.”

Rashford, who has been called an absolute professional by his new manager Hansi Flick, isn't the only recent departure thriving abroad. Former winger Antony has contributed 13 goals in 19 games for Real Betis in his first season since his permanent move in the summer.

Scott McTominay was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after helping Napoli clinch the Serie A title last season, winning the Player of the Season award for his performances.

Former Red Angel Gomes, who has received an England call-up since leaving United in 2020 for a flourishing career at Lille and now Marseille, described how some players benefit from being free of the weight of the United shirt.

‘Players may have been intimidated or not really know about the weight, what it carries, and what it takes,’ he told the BBC in June.

‘But ultimately, sometimes, it’s down to environment, timing, and having the right things in place to help you.

‘Some players who have left and gone on to do better than when they were at United, there might be things in place at that certain club, at that moment in time, that helped them succeed.’

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