3 Things We Learned: FC Barcelona vs Celtic FC
BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 13: Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar JR of Barcelona walk on the pitch during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at Camp Nou on September 13, 2016 in Barcelona. Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Getty Images).
Barcelona destroyed Celtic 7-0 in a one-sided match at Camp Nou with the M-S-N trio all getting on the scoresheet along with Andrés Iniesta.
Statement of Intent
There needed to be a response from the Barcelona players after the loss against Alavés, and that they did. It was like watching poetry in motion at times, superlatives struggled to describe it. The football on display reminded you of what ignited your love for watching Barcelona play in the first place.
It was in complete contrast to the Alavés game where everything seemed to fall apart when it mattered the most. Barcelona’s play was a nice mixture of individual brilliance such as Andrés Iniesta’s volley, and team play such as the build-up to the second goal.
Want your voice heard? Join the Everything Barca team!
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JULY 27: Portuguese footballer Andre Gomes waves his hand during his presentation ceremony as new FC Barcelona player at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain on July 27, 2016. (Photo by Albert Llop/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
André Gomes
More from Everything Barca
The Portuguese playmaker played well and seems to fit in to his role at Barcelona nicely which is great news.
Ivan Rakitić and Iniesta are currently ahead of him in the pecking order, but he is a more than adequate replacement. Being able to rotate him in allows one of the 2 other players to rest.
This is important due to the role they play being energy-sapping because of the ground they have to cover. Luis Enrique also has Denis Suárez as another midfield option which is important because fatigue caused by the lack of squad depth nearly derailed Barcelona last season.
Gomes excelling in his role is key for Barcelona’s season due to him eventually having to play without the experience of Iniesta and Rakitić at some point later on in the season. Therefore the quality of this early season performance is encouraging, and bodes well for the future.
Photo by Albert Llop/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images.
Importance of Neymar
Neymar showed his importance to the team in this match. His link-up with Luis Suárez and specifically Lionel Messi was massively important in causing the one-sided result. Arda Turan and the other options in his role just can’t replicate the seemingly telepathic link between himself and Messi.
The match against Alavés saw Neymar drop deeper than usual which hindered his effectiveness. Getting Neymar to stay in attacking areas is important for Barcelona’s success because of his ability to beat a man. At the same time Messi drops deep in order to get the attacking play started.
Messi’s vision allows him to pick out the clever runs of Neymar and Suárez which allows the trio to start the intricate play in the final third while the rest of the team provides extra options to recycle the play with their exceptional range of passing. The M-S-N trio’s understanding of their individual roles allows them to thrive which was on display against Celtic.
More from Everything Barca
This article originally appeared on 
