The 4-3 comeback victory of Barcelona on Celta Vigo showed the resilience of the team against Hansi Flick, although the coach was worried about the sight of Robert Lewandowski who was injured.
Raphinha's 98th minute Penalty gave Barcelona a crucial victory when they strengthened their lead at the top of Laliga and pulled seven points from Real Madrid.
Madrid is in action on Sunday, when they organize the semi-finalists Athletic Bilbao of Europa League and do this without the suspended Kylian Mbappe.
After Ferran Torres had opened the score on Saturday, Barca was 3-1 behind with more than an hour played, with Borja Iglesias delivering a hat trick for Celta.
Dani Olmo, however, halved the shortage before Raphinha's two goals – the second came from the spot deep in the stopping time – sealed a memorable victory.
“If we win, we love these types of games. We played against a very good team, they had good results in the last 10 games, as I said yesterday in the press conference. Their coach does fantastic work,” said Flick.
“I think the goals we have admitted have nothing to do with our urgent. We usually print very well, but today we have made mistakes. We made it very easy for the opponent.
“But the team did everything, we didn't give up. That is the mentality we have now. It's great.
“I don't want to talk about the mistakes that my players have made. I think everyone can see that the team has not given up, they have done their best for 90 minutes and we have the three points.”
Full time !!!! What a comeback! What a comeback! What a comeback! What a comeback!#Barçacelta pic.twitter.com/ptcxhbhrcl
– FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) April 19, 2025
After his brace, Raphinha has now scored 30 goals this season in all competitions and Flick could not contain his joy with the Brazilian display.
“I hugged Raphinha because things didn't go his way in the first half. I told him to think positively and in the second it turned out,” said Flick.
“During the break I said to Raphinha:” Come on, think positively. We need you on the field as a leader. ” Then he went inside and did that performance. “
But Barcelona is confronted with a nervous waiting with regard to the condition of Lewandowski after the Spits van Polen held his leg and was collected late in the game.
A hamstring injury could now rule the 36-year-old this season 40 goals from the Copa del Rey final against Madrid next week, while Barca will also be confronted in the semi-final of the Champions League later this month.
“Lewandowski will have an MRI tomorrow. We have to wait for the results, we will know more about his injury,” said Flick.