Match Recap: A Nerve racking Win for Barcelona as they go head to head with Villarreal
Photos by VillarrealCFen ~ Twitter
A game in which one would say after watching the whole 90 minutes that Barcelona won by the skin of their teeth and took the win tonight. It seemed as do Barcelona were back to their old habits, the defense making mistakes, the lack of possession not totally into the game.
In the opening 8 minutes, Gavi finds himself a wondering ball just outside the edge of the penalty spot and takes it on his left, goes wide, and just barely graces the bar, could have been his first.
Frankie de Jong lays a pass between the defenders gives Memphis an easy tap in, only to put it wide of the goalkeeper.
Photo’s by Goal & FCBarcelona ~ Twitter
The first goal scored in the second half as a shocking VAR, allowed Frankie de Jong’s goal, Memphis who was initially offside tapped the ball past the goalie, only to be tapped in by Frankie de Jong. Nevertheless, Villarreal found themselves equalized at minute 76 with a beautiful play up the midfield leading to Chukwueze putting it in the back of the net.
Soon after, Memphis capitalizes an overhead ball from Ter Stegen, brings it down with ease, skips past the goalkeeper, and with composure, threw the legs of the defender making it 2-1 Barcelona.
Phillipe Coutinho throughout the match was excellent, seemed to take control of the game as soon as he entered the pitch, he finds himself inside the 18-yard box passing 2 defenders, soon after fouled earning Barcelona a penalty kick which he soon scores, securing 3 points to Barcelona.
Photo by FCBarcelona ~ Twitter
Barcelona managed to take the weight off of Villarreal with a 3-1 scoreline. Although they won the team still have a long way to go, since the players are under the new signing of Xavi, focusing on establishing high standards, reinforcing excellent practices, and establishing a positive team spirit, Is his main focus. Overall Barcelona were not in control of the game, with a penalty taken away from Villarreal and many other chances created which the team failed to capitalizes, the game could’ve easily been overturned with two or three goals in victory of Villarreal.
