Barcelona secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Villarreal, showcasing an explosive attacking performance.
Player of the Match
Robert Lewandowski scored a brace in the first half, giving the Catalan side a significant advantage, allowing Villarreal to mostly play defensively in the second half. However, the Polish striker missed a penalty in the 65th minute.
According to Sofascore, the standout performer in Barcelona’s “walk in the park” at Estadio de la Cerámica was the prodigy Lamine Yamal. Although he didn’t score, Yamal left a significant mark with two assists and his speedy, skillful dribbling troubled the home defense. The 17-year-old also earned a penalty for Barcelona, but Lewandowski hit the post.
Who Was the Worst?
The player most troubled by Yamal was Eric Bailly. The former Manchester United star conceded the penalty in the 65th minute and received a yellow card. He struggled against Barcelona’s vibrant attack, and his positional awareness raised concerns for the home side. With Villarreal conceding five goals, it’s no surprise that the center-back pairing of Bailly and Logan Costa, along with full-backs Sergi Cardona and Kiko Femenía, received the lowest ratings.
Tactical Statistics
It’s no surprise that Barcelona dominated possession throughout both halves.
In the first half, Barcelona controlled 65% of the ball, creating five clear chances with an expected goals (xG) of 2.3. Under coach Flick, they managed nine shots, completed 324 passes, and made seven tackles. However, it’s worth noting that Barcelona’s defense was not particularly solid, allowing Villarreal four clear chances, resulting in nine shots and one goal.
In the second half, leading 2-1, Barcelona slowed down and played more securely but maintained control with 62% possession and denied Villarreal any clear chances. Their xG dropped to 1.78, with eight shots taken. Barcelona made 286 passes and executed eight tackles.
Key Moment
In the 83rd minute, from what seemed like a straightforward situation, Yamal dazzled everyone with a brilliant trivela, sending the ball dangerously into the box and setting up Raphinha for the fifth goal, sealing the 5-1 victory for the visitors.
At just 17 years old, Yamal is achieving remarkable feats. He has scored three goals and provided five assists in six La Liga matches this season. With a bit of luck, he could have added another with a stunning curling shot, but it hit the post instead.
Significant Loss for Barcelona
Barcelona‘s resounding victory was marred by a serious injury to goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The captain of La Blaugrana was carried off in pain at Estadio de la Cerámica just before halftime. Some reports suggest that the German international could be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a patellar tendon injury.