Every club has that one opponent that somehow manages to cause trouble, no matter the circumstances, and for Barcelona, that nemesis is Celta Vigo.
As Hansi Flick’s side prepare for their visit to Balaidos this Sunday, the numbers alone paint a concerning picture.
Over the past decade, Balaidos has become a difficult, almost cursed venue for Barcelona.
Since 2015, the Catalan giants have managed to win just two of their last nine league matches away to Celta.
The other seven fixtures have ended in frustration, including four defeats that still sting among the supporters.
No matter how strong the squad or how dominant the performance, Celta seem to have a knack for spoiling Barcelona’s plans.
The issue goes beyond statistics as it is about recurring patterns that the team can’t seem to break. Whenever Barça travel to Vigo, chaos tends to follow.
Past performances
Celat Vigo have troubled Barcelona in the past. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
The latest evidence came in November 2024, when Barcelona collapsed after taking a comfortable 2-0 lead, which should have sealed the win, but instead, a late meltdown saw them concede twice in two minutes.
In the blink of an eye, a sure victory turned into a painful 2-2 draw.
But this was not an isolated event. The 2021–22 La Liga season witnessed another infamous collapse when Barcelona threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3.
That game perfectly summed up Barça’s recurring struggles in Vigo, which include defensive lapses, loss of control, and the ever-present threat of Iago Aspas, who has scored 11 goals in 20 appearances against them.
He has become the face of Barcelona’s Balaidos troubles and a constant reminder of how fragile they’ve been in this fixture.
For Hansi Flick, this weekend’s match is more than just another league game. It is about breaking a psychological curse that has haunted the club for years.