Barcelona vs Villarreal – Trending Topics – Full time – Barcelona 3 (Lewandowski 2, Fati) Villarreal 0

Damage done before half-time. An energetic display from Barcelona as they get somewhat back on track after their weekend disappointment. Three goals in less than 10 first-half minutes effectively killed off a game which looked to be in the balance early on. Villarreal’s carelessness in the final third cost them several clear sights of goal, with the Barça defence looking fairly shaky in the first 45 minutes. At the other end, two world-class finishes from Robert Lewandowski put Los Azulgranas firmly in charge and there was never going to be much doubt about the outcome once Ansu Fati added a third.

The second half was a less entertaining affair, with Villarreal never seriously threatening Marc Andre Ter Stegen’s goal until stoppage time. Xavi will be pleased with a tighter defensive display in the second half, which should restore some confidence ahead of another tough run of games.    

FdJ masterclass 👨‍🏫 pic.twitter.com/YZG0s81JBH

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) October 20, 2022

A night to forget for Villarreal

Villarreal’s strong start to the season looks to be a thing of the past; they’ve now only won one of their last six LaLiga games. They have had a fairly lengthy injury list to contend with though, so Unai Emery will hope that results start to improve again once the treatment room empties a little. The Yellow Submarine host Almería at the weekend before taking on Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Europa Conference League; they’ve already qualified for the knockout stages.  

What next for Barcelona?

Barcelona headed into this game on the back of conceding six goals in two games against Inter and Real Madrid, which turned a fairly positive start of the season into worrying one. Xavi’s men next play host to Athletic Club before a crucial Champions League group game at home to Bayern Munich. Anything other than a victory and they’ll probably be out, although even that may not be enough in the end. Given that the club doesn’t have its financial issues to seek, not qualifying for the knockout stages would be a disaster in more ways than one.  

League standings

Where does tonight’s result leave us, then?

Barcelona remain in second spot, they’ve closed the gap on Real Madrid to three points and are three points ahead of third-placed Real Sociedad.

Villarreal could’ve gone up to sixth but, with Osasuna winning earlier, have instead dropped down to ninth. They are three points behind Athletic Club, who occupy sixth, the last Europa League spot, and a point behind Osasuna, who are sit in the Europa Conference League place in seventh.

Ansu Fati wasn’t half bad either. He deserves an injury-free spell to really show what he can do. Although tonight’s goal was rather fortunate…

YEAAAAHHHH!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zWDjK4rZsN

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2022

FINAL #BarçaVillarreal 3-0

¡Un doblete de @lewy_official y un gol de @ANSUFATI devuelven al @FCBarcelona_es a la senda de la victoria!#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/64VfXdpxEf

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) October 20, 2022

Via : en.as.com 

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