If Lionel Messi scores against Celta it will be his 19th straight league match with a goal. In addition, it would mean he has completed the league cycle, scoring a goal against all 19 other teams in the league consecutively. The last time Messi didn't score in a league match was a 3-1 win for Barca over Celta on November 3rd, 2012.
Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona: Preview and TV schedule
As Barcelona travels to Vigo this weekend, Lionel Messi will have the chance to make even more goal scoring history.
File that under insane.
There's good news and bad news for Barcelona as they return to league play after the international break. The good news is that while he won't be coaching the team this weekend, head coach Tito Vilanova is back from New York after missing the last couple months undergoing cancer treatments. Just having Tito back around the team should provide a tremendous morale boost as Barca looks to move another step closer to securing the league title.
As for the bad news, that centers around injury concerns. Fullback Jordi Alba is out with hamstring issues and forward Pedro Rodriguez is struggling with a calf problem, both injuries picked up international duty.
Celta have their own laundry list of injuries including the loss of Michael Krohn-Dehli who hurt his knee on international duty. They will be boosted by the return of Quique de Lucas and Natxo Insa.
Celta Vigo injuries and suspensions
Out: Sergio Alvarez (collarbone), Hugo Mallo (knee), Samuel Llorca (knee), Alex Lopez (thigh), Andres Tunez (suspended), Iago Aspas (suspended), Michael Krohn-Dehli (knee).
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Jordi Alba (hamstring), Xavi Hernandez (hamstring), Pedro Rodriguez (calf), Adriano (thigh), Carles Puyol (knee). In Doubt: Player 2 (calf).
Michael Krohn-Dehli is the latest injury concern for Celta after he picked up a knee injury playing during the break. Goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez took a bad fall in training on Thursday and is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. Jordi Alba, Pedro and Xavi all came back from international duty with muscle injuries and will be out.
Match Date/Time: 6 p.m. local, 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio de Balaídos, Vigo, Spain
TV: beIN SPORT, beIN Sport en Español (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), Canal+, Gol T (Spain)
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