Quique Setién’s side go down to a narrow defeat to FC Barcelona at the Estadio de la Cerámica
Villarreal lost to FC Barcelona at the Estadio de la Cerámica (0-1). The Yellows were beaten by the LaLiga leaders, who decided the game with a goal from Pedri. Quique Setién’s team pressed in the final minutes, but it was not enough to level the match.
The atmosphere in the build-up was spectacular. The fans knew it was a big game. The Estadio de la Cerámica unveiled its new light show, a spectacle with which the fans were thrilled in the run-up to the game.
With the ball already in play, the first chance went in favour of FC Barcelona. Reina thwarted Robert Lewandowski in a one-on-one. The yellow goalkeeper won the battle against the Pole, with Raúl Albiol as a great ally in the fight with the FC Barcelona No.9.
After 18 minutes, FC Barcelona took the lead with a goal from Pedri. On the edge of the area, the midfielder got on the end of a precise one-two with Lewandowski that left him alone in front of Reina and he made no mistake.
Misfortune struck Villarreal in the form of injury. Ten minutes before half-time, Francis Coquelin had to be substituted after a nasty twisted knee. With 0-1 on the scoreboard, Quique Setién opted to introduce the always attack-minded Samu Chukwueze.
In stoppage time, Morales could have equalised with a quick move into space. The striker received the ball with metres in front of him, showed his pace and failed to find the target with a shot against Ter Stegen at the near post.
After coming back from the changing rooms, Villarreal fought back in search of an equaliser. In the 60th minute, Araujo robbed Yeremy of the chance to level the match by robbing him of a fantastic ball into space from Dani Parejo when the winger was already looking the FC Barcelona goalkeeper in the eye.
In the closing stages, the Submarine stepped up in search of an equaliser. The Yellows, with faith and effort, tried until the end. In the 90th minute, the referee disallowed a goal by Chukwueze for a previous offside by Yeremy. In the end, the Yellows were unable to find the net and failed to score at La Cerámica.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Reina; Foyth, R. Albiol, Pau, Alberto M. (J. Mojica, m. 83); Capoue, Coquelin (Chukwueze, m. 35), Parejo, Álex B. (M. Trigueros, m. 83); Yeremy, A. J. Morales (Fer Niño, m. 83).
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, R. Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Kessie (Jordi Alba, m. 89), F. De Jong, Gavi, Pedri; Lewandowski, Raphinha (Ferran, m. 81).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 18: Pedri.
Referee: Hernández Hernández. Booked: Pau, Álex B., Parejo & Alberto M. (Villarreal CF); R. Araujo, F. De Jong, Kounde & Raphinha (FC Barcelona).
Incidencias: Partido entre el Villarreal CF y el FC Barcelona, correspondiente a la jornada 21 de LaLiga, celebrado en el Estadio de la Cerámica ante 21.178 espectadores.
