Barcelona secured back-to-back victories in La Liga with an impressive 4–2 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday evening. However, the result has not been without controversy, as Celta head coach Claudio Giráldez raised questions over two key incidents that occurred during the match.
The coach expressed his dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding Barcelona’s pre-match substitution, as well as the penalty decision that allowed Robert Lewandowski to open the scoring early in the game.
Controversy Over Barcelona’s Pre-Match Player Swap
Before kickoff, Marc Casadó was expected to start for Barcelona, but he pulled up with an injury during the warm-up. As a result, Dani Olmo was brought into the starting lineup at the last minute.
Speaking after the match, Giráldez suggested that the situation was unfair from a regulatory standpoint, arguing that such a change can alter a team’s game plan and preparation.
“At the regulatory level, it seems strange,” Giráldez said, as quoted by Diario AS. “You go out on the pitch with eleven players, you prepare your talk and tactics for those eleven players, and then suddenly, one changes. It’s different for Casadó to play than for Olmo to play. I’m not saying it was done with bad intentions, but it feels unusual that this doesn’t count as a substitution — and that Casadó could still play in the second half if they wanted. It’s a bit odd at the regulatory level.”
The coach’s comments have sparked debate among Spanish football fans about La Liga’s substitution protocols, especially in cases where injuries occur moments before kickoff.
“A Grey Situation”: Giráldez on the Penalty Against Celta Vigo
Giráldez also took issue with the penalty decision awarded to Barcelona in the opening minutes. Referee decisions came under scrutiny after Marcos Alonso was penalised for a handball inside the box following a shot from Fermín López.
Although the contact seemed unintentional, the referee awarded a penalty, which Robert Lewandowski calmly converted to give Barcelona an early lead.
“It’s a pretty grey situation,” Giráldez lamented. “It’s bad luck because it’s not a dangerous play — it’s a shot the goalkeeper would save or that would go wide. Marcos has no intention of making himself bigger; it’s a natural reaction. But this year, these kinds of handballs are being whistled. You just have to accept it, but those calls are very grey areas in football.”
The decision shifted the momentum early in the match, and despite Celta’s spirited performance, Barcelona maintained control for much of the game.
Barcelona March On as Celta Seek Positives
While Celta Vigo’s coach questioned the officiating and pre-match rulings, Barcelona extended their strong form heading into the international break. The Catalan side looked confident, with Lewandowski, Fermín López, and Lamine Yamal among the standout performers.
For Celta, the defeat leaves them searching for consistency in results despite showing flashes of quality. Giráldez will hope his side can regroup quickly as they continue their La Liga campaign with renewed focus.
Investigative Journalist & News Editor:
Contact: Editor@wesleyannews.com
Source: Wesleyannews.com
Do you have a story to share? Send it to our editorial team at editor@wesleyannews.com