Barcelona - Villarreal summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga EA Sports
LaLiga: Barcelona - Villarreal as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
It’s difficult to know where to start with that.
We can probably quick look past the first half, which was a non-event compared to the second. Another blunt attacking display from Barcelona and Villarreal took advantage, Gerard Moreno giving them the lead with a crisp finish before half time.
We saw a different Barça in the second period, playing with more intensity and purpose. Three goals from Gündogan, Pedri and Bailly (in his own net) in just over 10 minutes looked to have set them on the road to victory until a chaotic finale began.
A brilliant counterattack led to an expected Villarreal leveller from Guedes with six minutes left to play, then mayhem ensued. A late Barça penalty was overturned by VAR, Xavi told a nearby TV camera the decision was "a disgrace” and the home defence completely lost the plot to allow Sorloth to bundle in an winner that had to be seen to be believed.
Seconds after Araújo had squandered a brilliant chance to level, Morales raced up the other end and put the Catalans out of their misery.
An epic ending.
What next for Barcelona?
Before we sign off, a quick look at Barcelona's next game. The Catalans will host Osasuna in midweek, with the game set for Wednesday 31 January, kick-off at 1pm ET.
Villarreal, meanwhile, aren't in action again until next Sunday, when they face Cádiz at home.
Villarreal move eight points clear of relegation zone
Today's victory hasn't moved Villarreal up the table at all but they are now eight points clear of the relegation zone. And winning away to Barça will surely give them a huge confidence boost. They've got some big players to come back too.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 25 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| 13 | 24 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 |
| 14 | 23 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 15 | 20 | 21 | 3 | 11 | 7 |
| 16 | 17 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
Barcelona coach Xavi: "The fourth official told me it was a clear penalty"
Barcelona head coach Xavi has spoken to Spanish broadcaster DAZN about the penalty that was overturned by VAR, after which he was seen telling a nearby camera the decision was "a disgrace".
"They're going to sanction me if I say anything. You need to analyse it, I don't want to cause more controversy. I think it's our fault we lost the game, we made mistakes. The fourth official told me it was a clear penalty, it hit him on the elbow."
Barcelona 10 points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid
Going into the final few minutes, it looked as if the gap was going to be down to seven points. In the end, it's 10 and I'm not sure anyone thinks Barcelona can catch Real Madrid, or even Girona, between now and the end of the season.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 21 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | 52 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 | 44 | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | 41 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | 41 | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
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Just in case you were wondering about Marc-André ter Stegen.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández certainly will be.
The game that had it ALL
- Barcelona come back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2
-Villarreal level out of nowhere
- a late Barça penalty is overturned by VAR
- Xavi tells the cameras the decision is "a disgrace"
- Sorloth scores what seemed to be a 99th winner
- Morales added a fifth on the break in the 102nd minute
Literally, the game that had it all.
I need to go for a lie down after that. If you ever get the chance, watch the second half of this game. Absolute madness!
Full time: Barcelona 3-5 Villareal!
Literally one of the most unbelievable halves of soccer I've ever watched in my life. Superb stuff (unless you're a Barça fan).
From that Araújo chance, which was actually a miscue at the back post, Guedes breaks away, picks out Morales in the middle and the sub picks his spot low past Peña.
THAT IS THAT!
ARAÚJO ALMOST LEVELS!
Blocked at the back post!
Cubarsí clears it when Peña is about to pick it up, Araújo gives the ball away inside his own box to Capoué and Sorloth eventually bundles it in after Peña hits it against him!
That goal has to be seen to be believed, INCREDIBLE!
What an absolute mess in defence from Barcelona!
Gündogan shot blocked!
WHAT A TURN from Gündogan! That looked to be set up for the winning goal, but the German's shot in the box is brilliantly blocked!
This is thrilling stuff!
Barcelona race down the other end and Yamal shoots from just outside the box, straight at Jörgensen!
The madness continues! Mosquera crosses and almost picks out the head of Sorloth, who was eyeing that cross up!
Here come Villarreal! Three against three but Sorloth kills the attack with a poor pass.
Yamal skips away from Cuenca and is rugby tackled for his troubles. The yellowest card in history.
Those eight minutes will likely be more, as the VAR check came just as they were announced.
What an end to this game!
Eight extra minutes to come!
Xavi has just said "Qué vergüenza" ("what a disgrace" in Spanish) directly to the TV camera.
PENALTY NOT GIVEN!
For what it's worth, I think that's probably the right call...
Gündogan volleys across goal and the ball hits Comesaña on the elbow. He turns his back and isn't looking. It's also at close range...
Penalty for Barcelona!
Handball!
Koundé blocked on the line!
The corner comes in and Jörgensen drops it at the feet of Koundé, whose goal-bound effort is blocked by Sorloth!
Barça are back on the attack and Pedri almost picks out Cancelo at the back stick. It'll be a corner though.
Xavi is FURIOUS on the touchline. Not sure uppercase and bold does that justice.
Just under five minutes left. Who've you got?
Who's getting the next one? This is definitely not over!
What a counterattack! Capoué robs Gündogan in midfield and picks out Sorloth, who plays a perfect ball through for Guedes. The winger's touch is spot on and he drills low past Peña!
Jörgensen keeps out Cancelo drive
Jörgensen is a busy man! He flings himself to his left to stop Cancelo's deflected shot from finding the bottom corner!
Vitor Roque shot saved!
Almost a first Barça goal for the Brazilian! Gündogan plays a delightful through-ball and Jörgensen gets lucky, saving with his feet without knowing much about it.
Cubarsí makes crucial tackle!
Drama in the Barça box! Sorloth looks set to shoot from close range but Cubarsí gets a crucial challenge in!
A chance for Yamal to kill Villarreal off! He drives into the box and shoots low, but his tame shot is easily kept out.
Changes for both teams
Lewandowski is off, Vitor Roque comes on.
For Villarreal, Moreno and Femenía go off, with Mosquera and Morales coming on.
A rare Villarreal attack sees Moreno whip a cross into the box, which is easily claimed by Peña.
This game is the perfect illustration of playing with intensity and pace, and not. Barça didn't have it in the first half, but they do in the second.
Seconds before that goal went in, by the way, Capoué and Mandi came on for Baena and Moreno for Villarreal.
Barcelona already did something similar earlier in the season against Celta Vigo, although on that occasion they scored three times in the last 10 minutes to win. What next?!
Bailly own goal
I think the official word is that it's a Bailly own goal. Not that he wants it.
Where on earth did this come from??
It's a free-kick from Gündogan from the left and a header from Araújo from close range. Or was it Bailly in his own net?
Either way, this is ridiculous!
Lewandowski's been booked for tangling with Baiily, Xavi's been booked for complaining to the referee. It's all kicking off.
Yamal does the damage down the right and a losse ball drops to Pedri, who stays over it and drills low past Jörgensen!
Barcelona keep on coming. Villarreal need to weather the storm.
That goal has given Barça a serious new lease of life here.
TORRES MISSES!
How has Ferran missed that?! Gündogan lays it on a plate for Torres, who completely miscues from the penalty spot. He was all alone in front of goal!
CLOSE FOR BARÇA!
Oh my word! Cancelo floats a cross up to the back post and Moreno is inches away from acrobatically volleying into his own net!
That's put a new spin on the last 30 minutes!
Torres again has a part to play, feeding the ball in to Lewandowski, whose first-time layoff is perfect for Gündogan, who finds the bottom corner from the edge of the box!
An immediate impact from Ferran Torres, who curls an effort goalwards, which is well claimed by Jörgensen.
Changes for both teams
Torres replaces Félix for Barça.
Guedes on for Ilias for Villarreal.
I've seen a couple of clips of Cancelo being very apologetic after that second goal, and no wonder.
Ilias down and out?
Goalscorer Ilias is down and it looks as if Gonçalo Guedes is coming on in his place.
Barcelona had actually started the second half quite well but that's completely killed the mood...
Cancelo takes a horrendous touch from a long ball forward and allows Ilias to go clean through, round Peña and slot into the net. A Barcelona nightmare!
VAR checked and VAR check over. No penalty.
Barcelona penalty claim!
Yamal is barged into in the box by Bailly as he tries to get onto Pedri's pass...nothing given!
Corner for Barça! It eventually comes to Yamal, whose cross is cleared by a superb defensive header by...João Félix. Oops.
There was a lot more pace about that last attack. The hosts were very pedestrian in the first period.
Yamal heads over!
Much better from Barça! They work it quickly from right to left and Cancelo's cross finds Yamal, who can't keeps his header down.
Barcelona look to have made a mess of a short free kick but Yamal eventually whips in a cross which almost finds the bottom corner!
Cubarsí is lining up in central defence, Cancelo at left-back and Pedri in central midfield, ahead of where Romeu was. De Jong will likely drop slightly deeper.
Yamal starts the second half as brightly as he did the first. He picks a nice pass out for Gündogan, who overruns the ball and allows Cuenca to clear.
Barcelona kick off second half!
And...we're away again!
Pedri, Cancelo and Cubarsí on at half-time
When was the last time you saw a triple change at half time?
Fort, Christensen and Romeu have gone off.
That must've been some half-time team talk...
Barcelona preparing triple half-time change
As well as Pedri and Cancelo, it looks as if youngster Pau Cubarsí is also coming on for Barcelona, which tells you everything you need to know about that first half...
Barça conceding more than two goals a game
Just in case that didn't make you feel bad enough, Barcelona followers, Spanish stats guru MisterChip (well worth a follow on Twitter/X) points out the Catalans have conceded 25 goals in their last 12 games. I'm no mathematician, but that sounds like over two goals per game to me...
Barcelona's defensive woes continue
Look away now, Barça fans. 15 goals conceded in eight games in 2024...actually, that should really read seven and a half.
Cancelo and Pedri on for the second half?
It looks as if Xavi is going to make a couple of half-time changes. Yet to be confirmed, but João Cancelo and Pedri could be coming on sharpish.
Half-time thoughts:
Barcelona started brightly enough. Or should I say Lamine Yamal started brightly enough? There’s been precious little from anyone else, and the young winger faded after tormenting Villarreal in the opening minutes, which has had a knock-on effort for his team. Barça have had a few efforts from distance but haven’t opened their opponents up once.
The visitors have had the ball in the net three times, although their first two strikes were disallowed for offside (the second being somewhat dubious). They’ve defended very well and looked marginally the more threatening going forward, culminating in Gerard Moreno’s crisply-struck opening goal just before half time.
Barcelona 10 points behind Real Madrid
If things stay the same way, Barcelona will be 10 points behind Real Madrid having played the same number of games in LaLiga. They really need to turn this around...
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 21 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | 52 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 | 44 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | 41 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | 41 | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
Half time: Barcelona 0-1 Villarreal
Significantly more boos as the half-time whistle blows. Gerard Moreno's goal minutes before the break has Villarreal ahead!
Some boos coming from the stands in Montjuïc (and I'm not totally surprised...).
Two extra minutes to be played.
That corner leads to mayhem in the Villarreal box, but Jörgensen ends up with the ball safely in his hands. Phew.
"No," is the short answer. Gündogan rolls it to Félix, whose shot from the edge of the box is deflected for a corner.
A free kick coming up for Barcelona in a very dangerous position. Can they get back into it before half time?
The stereotypical "perfect" time to score.
Simple as you like! The throw-in reaches Sorloth, who rolls the ball into the box and into the path of Moreno, whose crisp first-time strike flies past Peña!
Yamal gives it away and Villarreal break with a delightful pass from Moreno to Baena, who gets into the box and picks out Sorloth, but the striker is crowded out at the crucial moment.
Excitement levels are raised again as Yamal gets the ball on the right and takes on Moreno, who he beats. He gets into the box but plays a low cross straight to a yellow jersery.
Barça are really lacking in imagination here.
Fort gets forward down the left and floats a cross into the box, which is easily claimed by Jörgensen.
Koundé and Yamal get the wires crossed down the right and that sums up how things are going for Barcelona at the moment.
Peña saves from Moreno!
A sight of goal for Moreno after Ilias' cross from the right. The striker gets his effort on target but it's easily saved down low by Peña.
Romeu booked for Barça
Romeu flies into Comesaña and gets a yellow card for his troubles.
Bailly almost gets in a right mess in his own box, with Lewandowski in close attendance, but does just enough to poke the ball clear.
Almost half an hour in and Barça haven't created a good chance yet. It's just not clicking in the final third.
Sorloth was ruled offside despite not touching the ball. The Norwegian was adjudged to have impeded Araújo, who was attempting to get to Moreno before he shot. We'll see what the fallout leads to...
VAR react to Moreno's disallowed goal
Villarreal's social media team are clearly not impressed by the decision.
Another sight of goal for Yamal, who gets it all wrong on his left foot this time. High and wide.
Gündogan very nearly feeds one through to Lewandowski in the box but Bailly just gets a toe in to take it away from the Pole.
We've not seen much from Barcelona in the last 10 minutes or so, it must be said.
Goal disallowed. Offside confirmed. Hmm.
It looks as if offside has been called, which looks dubious...
Second Villarreal goal ruled out!
Villarreal have the ball in the net again through Moreno...but it's ruled out again. Let's see...
Oooh, that was a lovely ball through from Moreno for the run of Baena, but Koundé is too quick and mops up the danger.
Good wing play from Ilias Akomach, who gets to the goal line and drives the ball across goal, only to see it cleared at the near post.
Wow, Marcelino and referee José Munuera are having a proper ding-dong, gesturing at each other from afar.
Marcelino certainly thought it was harsh too. The Villarreal coach is booked for his protest.
Danger for Barça! Ilias curls a cross into the box for Sorloth, who can't get to it but the ball almost bounces into the far corner. The striker is penalised for a foul on Christensen, which seems harsh.
Baena is first in the book for hacking down Yamal by the touchline.
Superb Jörgensen save from Félix!
That was travelling from Félix, whose shot took a nick off a defender. A flying Jörgensen touches it over!
A bizarre little exchange between Fort and Ilias Akomach, with the Barça youngster gesturing for the Villarreal man to get up in the box, even though he clearly didn't take a dive. VAR did have a quick check, although it didn't look like a foul at all.
Gündogan finds space in the Villarreal box and Fort tries to pick him out from the left, but his lofted pass is a bit too hard and Moreno is able to tidy up.
Marcelino looks very agitated on the touchline, unlike Xavi, who isn't quite smoking a pipe with his slippers on, but he looks chill.
Villarreal had one early attack and it's been all Barça since then.
Marcelino was NOT happy with his team for allowing Barça to take a short free kick there.
Yamal shot saved!
It's a one-man show! Gündogan plays a short free-kick to Yamal, whose shot from range is held by Jorgensen.
Yamal and Moreno at it again. The Villarreal defender thinks he's nicked the ball off the youngster but eventually gets penalised.
What did Yamal have for breakfast/lunch? The winger nutmegs Moreno, who's had a nightmare start, although Gündogan can't thread the ball through to either Lewandowski or Félix.
Yamal also shows he's capable of doing the dirty work, sliding in to block a clearance from Moreno, which gets a big cheer from the home fans.
Yamal brilliance!!
Superb from Lamine Yamal! He skips past Moreno as if he's not there and cuts the ball back for Gündogan, whose first-time shot is blocked by Cuenca!
Villarreal goal ruled out!
Villarreal have the ball in the net! Baena gets in behind the Baeça defence and smashes it high past Peña but he's flagged offside. No need for VAR there, that was clear as day.
A bright start from the visitors, who get the ball into Sorloth in the box. The big striker can't get turned for a shot at goal, though.
Underway in Barcelona!
And we're off! Villarreal get us started.
A minute's silence taking place for a number of people, including Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer and a group of Sevilla fans who tragically lost their lives in a car accident on the way to their team's Copa del Rey quarter-final away to Atlético Madrid.
A big hug for Xavi from Villarreal counterpart Marcelino. Let's see how long the friendliness lasts on the touchline.
The Barça anthem rings around Montjuïc, which can only mean one thing...
Kick off is imminent!
Here come the teams!
Barcelona start 10 points behind Real Madrid
Almost time to go! Barcelona start the game 10 points adrift of new league leaders Real Madrid, who have won at Las Palmas.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 21 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | 52 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 | 44 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | 41 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | 41 | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
Injuries decimate Barcelona and Villarreal
There are A LOT of players missing on both teams.
Barcelona: Gavi, Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha, Marcos Alonso, Alejandro Balde, Sergi Roberto
Villarreal: Yéremy Pino, Raúl Albiol, Dani Parejo, Alfonso Pedraza, Denis Suárez, Ramón Terrats Juan Foyth, Pepe Reina, Aïssa Mandi
Villarreal team to play Barcelona
Jörgensen; Femenía, Bailly, Cuenca, Moreno; Akomach, Comesaña, Coquelin, Baena; Moreno, Sorloth.
Barcelona team to play Villarreal
Peña; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Fort; de Jong, Romeu, Gündogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Félix.
In case you missed it earlier, here's a little reminder of how the teams will line up at Montjuïc.
Villarreal: last five games
- Villarreal 1-1 Mallorca
- Las Palmas 3-0 Villarreal
- Unionistas 1-1 Villarreal (Unionistas win on pens)
- Valencia 3-1 Villarreal
- Villarreal 3-2 Celta Viga
Barcelona: last five games
- Athletic Bilbao 4-2 Barcelona (after extra time)
- Real Betis 2-4 Barcelona
- Unionistas 1-3 Barcelona
- Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona
- Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
Tchouaméni gives Real Madrid late lead in Las Palmas
You just knew it was coming, didn't you? Real Madrid doing Real Madrid things. Auérlien Tchouaméni this time.
15 minutes until kick-off!
The clock is ticking and Barcelona already look to have been dealt a blow before kick-off...
ANDREU ESTEBAN / EFE
Villarreal's current form
Villarreal, meanwhile, have also been really up and down of late, which has actually been a maginal improvement since the start of the season...
They've won two and lost three of their last 10 games in all competitions, five of which have ended in draws. One of those losses, however, was a Copa del Rey penalty shootout defeat to Unionistas de Salamanca, who play in the Spanish third tier.
ANDER GILLENEA / AFP
Barcelona’s current form
To say Barcelona's recent form has been patchy would be putting it pretty mildly. Before Wednesday's cup defeat to Athletic, they had actually won six of their previous seven competitive games, but two of those were unconvincing wins over lower league teams and another two were late triumphs over Almería and Las Palmas. On top of that, the game they didn't win was the Spanish Super Cup final thrashing against Real Madrid.
VAR controversy in LaLiga
That late victory for Real Madrid over Almeria last weekend didn't come without controversy, of course, with Los Blancos, who were 2-0 down at half time, benefitting from three decisions being overturned in their favour after second-half VAR checks.
Xavi had his say, Joan Laporta had his say, Vinícius Júnior had his say. And so did a few others. Everything you need to know is in here. Some "light" pre-match reading for you.
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Vinícius Júnior equalises for Real Madrid
Well, that Las Palmas lead didn't last long, did it? Vinícius Júnior has levelled for Real Madrid and is anyone betting against them going on to win late on, as they did last weekend?
Colombian international Mosquera could make Villarreal debut
Colombian defender Yerson Mosquera, who spent the 2023 season on loan with FC Cincinnati in MLS, has joined Villarreal on a temporary basis from Premier League side Wolves and could make his debut for the club from the bench.
Carme Ripollés
Villarreal’s goals galore
Only the top six teams in the league have scored more goals than Villarreal (28), despite them being 14th in the table. You can probably guess the problem lies at the other end.
Only Almería and Granada, the bottom two, have conceded more (42 in 21 matches). Leaky.
Barcelona arrive at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
I'm going to be honest, I watched this just to see what Jules Koundé was wearing. Can you spot him? He doesn't stick out at all, I promise...
Girona travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday
League leaders Girona (yes, you read that right) travel to Celta Vigo in the early game on Sunday, by the way.
Las Palmas lead Real Madrid
Not Barcelona - Villarreal related but the Catalans will certainly have an eye on Real Madrid's game away to Las Palmas, which has just passed the hour mark. And the hosts have taken a shock lead (which Barça won't be sad about)!
Life isn't that easy without Jude Bellingham, after all...
AIOL / DIARIO AS
Barça defensive struggles
Since Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s last appearance for the club against Alavés in LaLiga, the Catalans have played 15 matches (including a pre-Christmas friendly against Liga MX side Club América in Dallas), in which Iñaki Peña has conceded 28 goals and kept only two clean sheets. Not that I want to pin all the blame on Barça number 13…
While Barcelona had not been nearly as solid defensive as last season prior to ter Stegen’s absence, the 31-year-old had still managed eight shutouts in 17 appearances, in which he had let in 15 goals.
How do you say "hurry back" in German?
Players' view of Montjuïc
And here's a little glimpse of what the players will see when they emerge from the tunnel, courtesy of the Villarreal social media team.
When do Barcelona go back to Camp Nou?
You’ll be more than used to it now, but just a friendly reminder today’s game isn’t being played at Camp Nou, which is being given a fresh lick of paint (and a bit more). The 55,000-capacityEstadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, the main stadium for the 1992 Olympic Games, hosts today’s game and Barça’s home fixtures until November this year (in theory, at least).
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Raphinha, Marcos Alonso and Iñigo Martínez still out
Ah, yes, injuries...
Completing the list of Barcelona absentees are Raphinha (hamstring), Marcos Alonso (back) and Iñigo Martínez (thigh), with all three facing a race against time to play any part in that Champions League tie versus Napoli.
Perhaps thumbs down would've been more appropriate.
Ok, so where was I...?
Villarreal team to play Barcelona
And this is how the visitors, also injury-hit, will line up.
Jörgensen; Femenía, Bailly, Cuenca, Moreno; Akomach, Comesaña, Coquelin, Baena; Moreno, Sorloth.
Barcelona team to play Villarreal
Here's the Barça team to face Villarreal. With no Balde or Alonso, teenager Héctor Fort starts at left-back.
Peña; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Fort; de Jong, Romeu, Gündogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Félix.
I'm going to interrupt my injury list run-through... but for very good reason!
ALBERT GEA / REUTERS
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen sets return date
There is good news, however, surrounding first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who revealed at an awards ceremony a few days ago that he “could be back in two weeks,” which is now a bit less than that. If the German’s prediction is correct, we could see him back for the LaLiga game at home to Granada on 11 February, a full 10 days before the first leg of the Champions League Round-of-16 tie against Napoli.
Sergi Roberto, en el partido contra Las Palmas. / DESIREE MARTIN / AFP
Sergi Roberto drops out due to muscle problem
Club captain Sergi Roberto has been in, out, in and back out of the team since recovering from an injury that caused him to miss several games in October and November. He came off the bench in extra time in midweek but has picked up another muscle problem and drops out of the squad for this one.
Alejandro Balde set for lengthy absence
Gavi’s fellow youngster Alejandro Balde has started Barcelona’s last few games at left-back but won’t be starting any more for quite a while, sadly. He was forced off in the first half of the cup defeat in Bilbao and it turns out the hamstring injury he picked up will require surgery, which is set to keep him out for four months. Will we see him again this season, I wonder?
Gavi's long road to recovery
The 19-year-old does, at least, seem to be in pretty good spirts, posting a snap of him doing some gym work on Instagram on Friday. If "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba doesn't get you going, then nothing will.
Gavi a long-term absentee
We won’t be seeing Gavi again for quite a while, I’m afraid. The young midfielder tore his ACL while playing for Spain in the November international break and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, as well as Euro 2024. Ouch.
Barcelona had an injury list as long as a gorilla's arm in the early weeks of the season. After some brief respite, the fitness issues have returned. Let's take a look at when Xavi is likely to get some of his players back.
Barcelona knocked out out of Copa del Rey by Athletic Club
Barça couldn’t have made a worse start to their Copa del Rey quarter-final away to in-form Athletic Club, conceding the opening goal inside the first minute. But they rallied and led at the break thanks to strikes from Robert Lewandowski (lucky) and Lamine Yamal (sublime). That was as good as it got, though, as the Basque side levelled shortly after half time and went on to win the tie in extra time as a result of a Nico Williams brace.
Xavi's side are out of the cup, lost in the Spanish Super Cup final and are quite far back in the league. What price on them winning the Champions League...?
Still looking for a way to watch today's game? If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and our Andy is here with the details!
Just be sure to stick with me too, please!
You can also watch a Barcelona - Villarreal live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial
Early Villarreal team news: Parejo, Albiol and Pino head lengthy absentee list
Ready? Here we go…
Spain winger Yéremy Pino isn’t expected to play again until next season due to an ACL tear, while central defender Raúl Albiol and midfield playmaker Dani Parejo are also out once again but should return soon.
Alfonso Pedraza, Denis Suárez, Ramón Terrats and Juan Foyth are on the treatment table too, while veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina is suspended and Aïssa Mandi is on international duty with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Phew.
Barcelona matchday squad
With all that in mind, this is how the Barcelona squad to face Villarreal is looking. A number of teenagers, Lamine Yamal included, will be on Xavi's bench.
Early Barcelona team news: Gavi, Balde and ter Stegen among absentees
Key men Gavi and Marc-André ter Stegen remain on the sidelines, as do Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha and Marcos Alonso, who have been struck by more recent fitness issues. They have been joined in the treatment room this week by left-back Alejandro Balde, who is set to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem suffered in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey loss to Athletic Club, and club captain Sergi Roberto.
Defenders Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen both picked up knocks in Bilbao but are expected to be fit to play.
Villarreal submarine slowly sinking
We’ve become pretty used to seeing Villarreal playing in European competition over the last 20 years or so, with the odd exception. Which makes this season (so far) all the more disappointing. Now coached by former Valencia and Athletic Club manager Marcelino, they have won five, drawn five and lost 11 of their first 21 LaLiga games, which is…not great. As it sands, the 2021 Europa League winners are only five points clear of the relegation zone. Yikes.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 25 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| 13 | 24 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 |
| 14 | 20 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 |
| 15 | 20 | 21 | 3 | 11 | 7 |
| 16 | 17 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
Barcelona playing catch-up to Girona and Real Madrid
Barça are currently seven points behind Clásico rivals Real Madrid, who are in action at the moment away to Las Palmas (it's still 0-0 midway through the first half).
And let’s not forgot about Girona, oh no. Xavi’s chaps are eight points adrift of the “other” Catalans, but have a game in hand.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | 51 | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | 44 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | 41 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | 41 | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
What time does Barcelona - Villarreal kick off?
We’ll have to wait a little though, as the clash in Catalonia gets underway at 6:30 p.m. local time, which is 12:30 p.m. ET and 9:30 a.m. PT. A LaLiga breakfast/brunch is a fine way to start the weekend, if you ask me.
Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!
Hello and welcome to Barcelona - Villarreal!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Barcelona’s return to LaLiga action against Villarreal at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc. Xavi Hernández’s side have fallen adrift of Girona and Real Madrid at the top of the table and have serious work to do if they are to get back into the title race. That works starts now against “The Yellow Submarine” (not sure if they are actually Beatles fans), who have flattened to deceive this season.
I'm Roddy and thanks for joining me, I'm expecting goals in this one (he says, jinxing it immediately).