The Yellows, with numerical inferiority, were unable to get a point against the Catalan side
Villarreal lost to FC Barcelona at the Estadio de la Cerámica (2-1). The Yellows, who had to play nearly half an hour with ten men, did not get a point at home to the Culés, who came away with the win thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s brace.
To face FC Barcelona, Unai Emery made four changes from the last game in LaLiga, against Deportivo Alavés. The Basque manager made a number of changes in defence, with Sergio Asenjo, Juan Foyth, Pau Torres and Alberto Moreno coming into the starting XI, after they were all on the bench in Victoria. It was the first time the left-back had started an official game this season.
The Yellows started the game full of energy, going head-to-head with FC Barcelona, who arrived at the Estadio de la Cerámica immersed in a fight for the league title.
In the 15th minute, FC Barcelona had a great chance to go ahead on the scoreboard. Sergio Asenjo made a fantastic save, saving on the line from Frenkie de Jong, who had shot from inside the six-yard box. It was the away side’s third good chance, who were testing Emery’s side’s defensive solidity.
Just past the halfway point of the first half, there were ten mad minutes. Villarreal went ahead through a great Samu Chukwueze goal. The Nigerian striker got on the end of an excellent Pau pass, left Jordi Alba on the floor after a lovely turn, got away from Gerard Piqué and dribbled past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, before finishing calmly.
The Yellows’ joy did not last long, as, only a minute later, they conceded the equaliser. Antoine Griezmann beat Asenjo with a subtle dink.
The goal shocked the Yellows, who, after a mistake in defence, conceded the second goal, once more through Griezmann, in the 34th minute. A tough blow for Emery’s men.
In the second half, a goal down on the scoreboard, Villarreal stepped forward in search of the equaliser. With just over an hour on the clock, Étienne Capoue went close with a low shot in the box, which Ter Stegen saved with his feet.
In the 66th minute, Manu Trigueros was sent off for a challenge on Leo Messi. The midfielder touched the ball, but then made strong contact with the Argentine attacker’s leg.
The sending off was a decisive moment, and affected the Yellows’ aspirations. Despite that, Emery’s side continued trying to cause problems for the opposition. Their best chance fell to Gerard Moreno in the 77th minute, with the forward’s shot in the area going wide.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: S. Asenjo; Foyth, R. Albiol (Mario Gaspar, m. 88), Pau, Alberto M (Estupiñán, m. 60).; M. Trigueros, Capoue (Moi Gómez, m. 76), Parejo, Chukwueze (Yeremy, m. 88); Gerard, Paco Alcácer (Coquelin, m. 60).
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Piqué, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Sergio (Araujo, m. 87), F. De Jong, Dest (Sergi Roberto, m. 45); Messi, Griezmann (Dembelé, m. 79), Pedri (Ilaix, m. 63).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 26: Chukwueze. 1-1. Min. 27: Griezmann. 1-2. Min. 34: Griezmann.
Referee: Del Cerro Grande. Booked: Raúl Albiol, Pau (Villarreal); Griezmann, Busquets (Barcelona). Sent off: M. Trigueros (m.66).
Matchday information: Game between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona corresponding to Matchday 32 of the 2020/21 LaLiga season at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
