Suarez relieved to keep Barca run going

Barcelona had Sergi Roberto sent off as Celta twice came from behind but LaLiga's leaders maintained their unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw.

Denis Suarez conceded Barcelona were a touch fortunate to keep their unbeaten LaLiga run intact with a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo.

Barca led twice through Ousmane Dembele and Paco Alcacer despite head coach Ernesto Valverde making a raft of changes, with an eye on Saturday's Copa del Rey final showdown against Sevilla.

Lionel Messi came on as a substitute shortly before Alcacer's scrambled a 64th-minute goal and at the same time as Sergi Roberto was introduced, but the latter was sent off for hauling back Iago Aspas.

Spain striker Aspas smuggled home Celta's second equaliser eight minutes from time and the hosts pressed hard for a third win over Barca at Balaidos in as many seasons.

"Celta always generate many opportunities and play with many people up [in attack]," Suarez told reporters.

"I think in the second half we dominated until the red card. And it is true that they had several [chances] to score the third.

"Luckily it was not like that and we are still unbeaten and a little closer to [the] LaLiga [title]. We have to give ourselves credit because to continue unbeaten at this point is an incredible achievement."

Suarez was making his first top-flight start since the turn of the year and added: "When so much time goes by is always difficult. My goal is to succeed here and keep trying."