Barcelona 3 Villareal 1 Match Review

Sunday night’s late kickoff saw Barcelona take on Villarreal at La Ceramica.

 The Yellow Submarine had not beaten the Catalan side from 2008, and it was meant to be a golden chance for them to turn the tables and it certainly was a chaotic affair.

Barcelona lined up in a sort of a 3-4-2-1 with the 3 centre backs- namely Pique, Araujo and Garcia- who was given the task of Man Marking Moi Gomez it seemed.

Let's just say it didn't work well. Barca b winger Abde got his first start for the club at Right Wing Back.

First Half

Barcelona started the Half on Fire. There was hunger, determination and aggression to win. Abde started very brightly, looking to take on his man every time and getting a cross into the box resulting in corners.

The highlight of the first half was Frenkie de Jong’s wonderful through ball to Memphis Depay. Depay had a chance to easily score past the keeper to make it 1-0 but he missed - something which you don't expect from someone of the calibre of Memphis Depay. 

However, after the first 10-15 minutes, the story was way different. Villarreal dominated the game, Abde at times was playing as a Right Back and Eric Garcia pushed up into midfield with Sergio Busquets. 

Those were horrific decisions by Xavi as Barcelona basically didn't press at all for large moments of the 1st half.

2nd Half

Barcelona got off to a flying start in the 2nd Half. 

Jordi Alba fizzed a ball into the Villarreal box, Depay got a touch on it and failed to convert but luckily De Jong was there to tap it in but the goal was initially given offside and after a long Var check Frenkie De Jong scored the first goal in the Xavi Era from open play. It was then Villarreal were all over us again, they dominated possession and were just passing it around.

 Villarreal had chances to equalise mainly due to unforced errors from our defenders but failed to capitalise. However,15 minutes from time, Barca gave away the ball from their own throw and in 2 passes, our whole defence was cut through and Villarreal equalised through Samuel Chukwueze who has scored 3 goals in his last 4 games vs Barcelona.

.The hosts equalised, and the pressure was once again on Barcelona. However, we responded, Marc Andre Ter Stegens long ball found Memphis Depay who did brilliantly to bully Albiol, take it under control and round the keeper and finish very calmly. 

Memphis celebrated by kissing the badge as he had received 

lots of criticism for his performance vs Benfica. Xavi and his staff were overjoyed. To put the cherry on the top, Coutinho earned a penalty which he converted to make it 3-1 in the 93rd minute and secure all three points for Barcelona.

The game wasn't pretty and we did get a bit lucky in the end but it's only Xavis 3rd game in charge and this was our first away win of the season.

Xavi now has a whole week to implement his ideas and prepare for the next game vs Betis on Saturday.