Barcelona managed to beat Villarreal at El Madrigal 1-0, courtesy of Pedri’s 1st half goal and went 11 points ahead of Real Madrid in LaLiga Table.
Table of contents
Team Lineups
Barcelona former coach Quique Setien went with 4-4-2 formation with one of the best LaLiga midfielders Dani Parejo and 40 year old LaMasian Goal Keeper Pepe Reina. José Luis Morales got a rare start in the attack instead of the injured Villarreal go-to striker Gerard Moreno.
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Xavi decided to stick to his usual 4-3-3 formation bringing Balde back to the strong “BACK” amidst the match winning performance of Jordi Alba in the last game against Sevilla. Frank Kessie made in to the Blaugrana midfield replacing the injured Sergio Busquets and Gavi started on the left flank.
3-0 FC Barcelona vs Sevilla Match Report – Laliga Matchday 20
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First Half
Barcelona had a great start with an amazing chance created by Pedri but unfortunately, Robert Lewandowski couldn’t capitalize it. Pepe Reina made a good save denying the one on one attempt of Lewandowski at the 3rd minute and the alarm bells start ringing for Villarreal early in the game.
It took only 18 minutes for Barcelona to break the deadlock with a superbly worked team goal. First, it started with Kounde winning the ball and Gavi was there to win the 50% chance and pass it on to Frenkie De Jong. Raphinha sent the ball to Lewandowski at the box after Frenkie’s pass and the rest was magical.
Robert Lewandowski made an absolutely beautiful assist to Pedri and the spanish golden boy did the rest with his cold finish.
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Straight after the kick off Villarreal forward José Luis Morales got a golden opportunity to get a quick equalizer but he misses kicked the volley wide which came from Christensen’s deflection.
After that goal, both sides got chances to score goals but neither Lewandowski or Morales couldn’t give their sides the advantage. Morales got another 2 chances to equal the scoresheets but he wasted both, one being offside and 45th minute smashing the side net at a one-on-one chance with Ter Stergen.
Morales vs Real Madrid – Morales vs Barça pic.twitter.com/RUPaEwgfEi
— 🥷🏼 (@IzanRMCF_) February 12, 2023
Second Half
Both teams got good chances in the second half but again no one was able to find the net. In the 56th and 58th minute Barcelona players, Frenkie De Jong and Jules Kounde got yellow cards respectively followed by a yellow card for Villarreal mastermind Dani Parejo in the 62nd Minute.
One of the most talking points of the match was Araujo’s brave performance and he showed his love for Barcelona throughout the game being a nightmare to Villarreal.
The game ended 1-0 but Villarreal gave headaches to Barcelona’s defense in the dying minutes of the games with a 90th minute disallowed goal from Yeremy Pino.
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