Iago Aspas put Celta ahead after Marc-Andre ter Stegen parried Maxi Gomez’s shot, but Barca levelled moments later as Lionel Messi converted Paulinho’s pass for his 17th goal this season.

Luis Suarez had a goal harshly ruled out for offside and Messi hit a post.

Suarez put Barca ahead from Jordi Alba’s cross after a Messi pass, but Gomez equalised from Aspas’ cutback.

Barca defender Samuel Umtiti pulled up with a hamstring injury while chasing Aspas for that goal, and has been ruled out for eight weeks.

The Catalan side are five points above Valencia, who visit Getafe on Sunday.

Celta Vigo – who move up to eighth – were good value for their draw, with a positive attacking attitude. Aspas, in particular was excellent.

Barcelona did have chances to win an open game, and Messi, La Liga’s top scorer with 13 goals in 14 games, headed wide from four yards out.

Atletico Madrid are a point behind Valencia, having come from behind to beat Real Sociedad 2-1. Willian Jose put La Real ahead with a penalty, but Filipe Luis equalised before Antoine Griezmann’s 88th-minute winner.

Fourth-placed Real Madrid are at Athletic Bilbao at 19:45 GMT.

–

Source: BBC

The post Messi and Suarez score but Barca held by Celta Vigo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Manchester United will face Spanish side Celta Vigo in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The Premier League side have won the European Cup three times but have never triumphed in the continent’s secondary club competition.

Dutch side Ajax, winners in 1992, come up against French club Lyon in the other last-four tie.

The first legs will be played on 4 May with the second leg on 11 May, and the final in Stockholm, Sweden on 24 May.

United manager Jose Mourinho won the competition with Porto in 2003 and comes up against La Liga club Celta, who have never won a major European competition.

Ajax, who beat Schalke 4-3 on aggregate to reach the last four, are also experienced European campaigners. They have won the Champions League/European Cup four times previously and the Europa League/Uefa Cup once, beating Torino in the 1992 final.

In the Champions League draw, holders Real Madrid play city rivals Atletico Madrid and French side Monaco take on Italian club Juventus.

Zinedine Zidane’s side could become the first club to retain the trophy in the Champions League era in the final on 3 June in Cardiff.

The first legs of those ties will be played on 2 and 3 May, with the return legs taking place the following week.

The post Europa League draw: Man Utd v Celta Vigo, Ajax v Lyon appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.