MADRID: FC Barcelona had to withstand a second half fightback at home to Celta Vigo to cling on for a narrow 1-0 win in the Camp Nou on Sunday in the eighth round match of La Liga.
Barca controlled the first half completely, with Gavi and Pedro running the midfield, and it was no surprise when Gavi set Pedro up to score from close range in the 17th minute.
Everything changed after the break, with Celta seeing a goal ruled out for a close offside, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced two excellent saves to deny Iago Aspas and Oscar.
Barca will have to improve considerably if they are to beat Inter Milan in the Champions League ahead of next weekend's El Clasico against Real Madrid, reports Xinhua.
Athletic Bilbao remain third after a 1-1 draw away to Sevilla.
The home side started strongly on Jorge Sampaoli's debut in the dugout after replacing Julen Lopetegui as coach.
Oliver Torres put Sevilla ahead from close range, but after Athletic keeper Unai Simon made a couple of good saves, the visitors got into the game and maybe deserved more than the point Mikel Vesga's left foot shot earned them.
Atletico Madrid went fourth after a 2-1 win at home to Girona, with Angel Correa netting both of their goals in the fifth and 48th minutes, while Rodrigo Riquelme scored for Girona in the 66th minute.
Atletico had goalkeeper Jan Oblak to thank for the win as the keeper made two important saves in the closing minutes to deny the visitors an equalizer. (IANS)
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