Early this evening at 6:30pm local time, its our first game at home in 2024. That’s crazy to even write. It’s almost February and its our very first home game of the new year. And quite frankly, this team, this coach, this club really needs the fans behind them right now. To feel the support of the fans at the stadium is going to be key for this team. There’s been a lot of negativity, some fair and some frankly just not. So it’ll be nice to see the team back at home after a long time spent travelling. Yet again, its a big game in the league season for us. Seems like we’re saying this every week now. Live from the Montjuic, its Barca VS Villarreal.
Villarreal haven’t had an amazing season, and when compared to recent years, they have been underperforming for a while now. Off the field problems haven’t helped, plus the fact they lost Unai Emery last year, as well as many key players and haven’t really been able to fully replace them. But that doesn’t mean we should underestimate them. Their current coach, Marcelino, always sets his teams up in a solid way. He gets the foundations right and they’ll probably come and defend most of the time tonight. So it could frustrate us, but we need to make sure were switched on. That’s the most important thing right now.
Predicted lineup:
When it comes to the lineup, it really is anyone’s guess. In midweek unfortunately we lost Balde to a hamstring injury. And now it’s expected that we wont see him again until next season, just like Gavi. So yeah, and honestly quite tiring at this point. These young players don’t deserve it. And its especially sad knowing that Balde was getting back to his best version from last season and now he’s injured.
Roberto is also injured, but lets be honest, he doesn’t add too much anyways. Which means that we could be set to see the teenagers star again, this time vs Villarreal. And based on how they perforated in midweek, they deserve to start tonight.
Yamal was simply incredible. Was unlucky not to score a hat trick, but he scored an absolute beauty and showed how important he is already in this team at such a young age. He’s special. Hector fort and Cubarsi both shone as well. And if anything, the debuts of the likes of Yamal, Guiu, Fort, Fermin and Cubarsi have been the best things this season. Credit to Xavi for giving them the spotlight. Cancelo is back so id expect him to start. Maybe we could see him at Left back with Fort at Right back. Yamal is also expected to start as we have no other options, unless Xavi decides to play 2 strikers up top so that yamal can get some rest. It’ll be interesting to see how we lineup.
My starting lineup
Pena
Fort- Araujo- Cubarsi- Canceló
Pedri- Gundogan- Frenkie
Yamal- Roque- Ferran
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