Lamine Yamal vies with Alfonso Pedraza during the match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on August 27, 2023. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona win a thriller against Villarreal
Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring their team’s fourth goal during the match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica on August 27, 2023 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
If goals are your thing, then you were in for a treat as Barcelona came out on the positive end of a 4-3 result against Villarreal.
Barcelona pulled ahead 2-0 in fifteen minutes following goals from Gavi in the 12th minute and Frenkie de Jong in the 15th. This after Villarreal were the much better side, going right after Barcelona and finding plenty of success down the flanks.
Lamine Yamal, who keeps on impressing at just 16 years old, provided the assist for the opener.
De Jong’s second came after Robert Lewandowski dragged the center-back away from the middle of the area. A fortunate attempt of a clearance from a Villareal defender saw the ball land to the Dutchman who doubled the advantage.
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But it would be all Villarreal from there.
The ‘Yellow Submarine’ cut Barcelona’s advantage in half as Juan Foyth easily beat Sergi Roberto to head home from a corner. The equalizer came in the 40th minute as Alexander Sørloth finished off a nice bit of play from Villarreal as they were once again able to get in behind Sergi Roberto.
Despite the obvious deficiencies in both Barcelona full-backs, it was Andreas Christensen who was replaced at halftime in place of Eric Garcia.
Villarreal took the lead five minutes in as Alex Baena curled one past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Again, in the build up, it was Sergi Roberto who was easily beaten and could not recover in time to track Baena.
Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati were brought on to try to salvage something from a game slipped from Barcelona’s fingers.
Torres made a quick impact as he equalized in the 68th minute after a bit of a scrap near the penalty spot. His first attempt was saved but he collected the rebound and scored on his second. In his second-half appearance, Torres was lively and seemed a player with much more confidence than last season.
But the story of this match was Lamine Yamal.
The 16-year-old used his pace to his advantage as he danced through a couple of Villarreal defenders only to see his shot hit the post. It was the second time in the game for Yamal. The difference this time around is it landed right to Lewandowski who only needed to tap it in for Barcelona to take the lead in the 71st minute.
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Given the state of the defense, Barcelona needed, and could have had, a couple of more goals.
Lewandowski and Fati were wasteful in front of goal but the Catalan side were fortunate that those misses didn’t come back to haunt them in the end.
Barcelona pulled out a much needed win given Real Madrid had already won on Friday.
It also served to further solidify Yamal’s place not only on the team but in the starting line-up as well. He’s a difference maker and a player Barcelona don’t currently have up front. His willingness to take on defenders is a plus and should have a positive effect on the other forwards. It was demonstrated today against Villarreal.
The match also served to show Barcelona’s deficiencies. With no right-back and Alejandro Balde benched due to a knock, they cannot afford to rely on Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso. Their flanks were an avenue all match long. Joao Cancelo should provide a solution but it’s still unclear whether his transfer will happen or not.
For now, Barcelona happily walks away with the three points. Their next match is set to be another tough affair as they travel to take on Osasuna at El Sadar on Sunday.
