Xavi and the players came to the game with the desire to stop the bad run of games. Since the return from the International break, FC Barcelona never looked the same, and a win vs Villarreal was very important. Not only in order to keep chasing the leaders from Madrid, but also for the mentality of the team.
Xavi made 5 changes for the starting lineup, and the team looked totally different. However, it took FC Barcelona 30 minutes to score the first goal of the game. Afterwards, the game became a lot easier for the team.
First Half
It took Barca 10 minutes to get the first chance to score. Baena lost the ball on the edge of his own box and Pedri clips the loose ball forward for Fati in the box. The winger stretched for it, but Rulli came out of his goal and gathered possession,
22 minutes into the game, Villarreal got their first chance. Danjuma flied forward on the break for the Yellow Submarine, and ran wide to avoid Kounde before lashing a shot into the side netting.
At the 31st minute, GOAL! Pedri slices the defence open with a throughball to Alba, who squares to Lewandowski. He dummies and turns, taking two defenders out of the equation and leaving Rulli scrambling, before slotting the ball underneath the goalkeeper and into the back of the net!!! What a cool finish, and it’s put Barcelona 1-0 up!!
4 minutes later, and it’s 2-0! There’s the second!!! Pedri’s brilliant tackle sees the ball skew to Gavi, who shrugs off Parejo before finding Lewandowski wide to his left. He cuts inside and aims up a shot from the edge of the box, before curling the ball beyond Rulli’s reach and into the far corner!!! 2-0 as quick as a flash, and Lewandowski’s masterful finishing has provided them both!
At the 38 minute, GOAL! Number 10 with number three!!! Gavi finds Ferran Torres out wide, and he dribbles into the box, evading three before squaring to Fati. His initial scuffed effort bounces back off the post, and in the resulting goalmouth scramble, Fati keeps his composure to backheel the ball into the unguarded net, putting Barca 3-0 up and absolutely cruising!
Second Half
At the second period, FC Barcelona tried to score more goals, and Villarreal tried to be back to the game.
Eventually, the game ended in a 3-0 win. Moreover, let’s hope that this win will give the team the confidence they need so much.
On Sunday, Barcelona will have to face Ernesto Valverde and Athletic Bilbao. As always, the Basque team are tough to break.
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