Unai Emery’s side beat FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou and get their aim of being in Europe next season
Villarreal beat FC Barcelona (0-2) at the Camp Nou. The Yellows have sealed their place in the UEFA Conference League, with the perfect sign off to a magnificent season where the Yellows reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and once more got into Europe through LaLiga.
The Submarine were visiting the Camp Nou focused on getting a win against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nu to be able to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season. For the important, tough match on Catalan soil, Unai Emery lined up with five changes from the last league tie. The Basque head coach brought in Mario Gaspar, Alfonso Pedraza, Moi Gómez, Manu Trigueros and Paco Alcácer.
Barça started the match better. The home side immediately planted themselves in the Yellows half, widening the pitch and playing well down each flanks. The away team were able to frustrate each attack, with both Raúl Albiol and Pau Torres dominating at the back.
FC Barcelona were pressing high as Villarreal tried to play it out from the back, which made it hard for Emery’s side, who struggled to create many chances. However, as the game went on, the Yellows started to win the ball back and attack quickly on the counter.
In the 40th minute, after a fantastic team move, the Yellows went ahead through Pedraza. The left-back got on the end of a great Dani Parejo ball into space, and finished calmly past Marc-André ter Stegen. The assist from the midfielder game after a lovely move that involved Gio Lo Celso and Alcácer.
The Submarine went into the break with the tightest of leads. FC Barcelona took to the pitch in the second half looking for the draw. However, it was Villarreal who got the second. Moi Gómez doubled the Yellows’ lead, capitalising on a poor Adama Traoré clearance in his own box. At 0-2, Emery’s side knew how to see out the game, and got their first win at the Catalan stadium since 2008.
Lineups:
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves (Mingueza, m. 81), R. Araujo, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; F. De Jong, Sergio, Gavi (Riqui Puig, m. 71); Adama (Dembelé, m. 56), Aubameyang (Ansu Fati, m. 56), Ferran (Memphis, m. 71).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Mario Gaspar (Serge Aurier, m. 67), R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza (R. Peña, m. 83); M. Trigueros (Estupiñán, m. 67), Capoue, Parejo, Moi Gómez (Chukwueze, m. 83); Lo Celso, Paco Alcácer (N. Jackson, m. 67).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 40: A. Pedraza 0-2. Min. 55: Moi Gómez.
Referee: Munuera Montero. Booked: Gavi, Sergio, Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona); Parejo (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Matchday 38 of the 2021/22 LaLiga season, at the Camp Nou.
