Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona: Three Things We Learned

Barcelona are going from strength to strength in La Liga and continue to pick up points. Xavi’s side were in league action this weekend against Villarreal away from home, and they won.

The former UEFA Champions League winners got the better of Villarreal 1-0 at Estadio de la Cerámica. Pedri scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute. Robert Lewandowski provided the assist.

A deft touch from striker Robert Lewandowski allowed Pedri to slip in between two defenders to roll the ball past Pepe Reina for the only goal of the match.

The game itself did not have much quality.

There were as many as eight bookings. Villarreal’s Francis Coquelin suffered what looked to be a serious leg injury as well.

Villarreal, though, could have picked up a point from the encounter had Alex Morales taken his chance.

The result means that Barcelona are now at the top of the La Liga table with 56 points from 21 matches.

The Blaugrana are as many as 11 points clear of second-placed and bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Last season’s league champions Madrid have played 20 games and can be backed at 13/2 on Betfair to win the title this season.

Meanwhile, Villarreal currently find themselves eighth in the La Liga table with 31 points from 21 matches.

The Yellow Submarine are seven points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

This is what we learned from the La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona:

Barcelona are defensively great

Barcelona have been the best team in La Liga so far this season, and it now looks likely that they will reclaim the title. One of the major factors behind their success this season is their defence. Xavi’s side have conceded just seven goals 21 La Liga games so far this season. Now compare that to Madrid, who have shipped in 17 goals in 20 league fixtures. If Barcelona do end up winning the title, then their defensive performance need to be praised more than anything else.

Villarreal should stay positive

Now, Villarreal will be disappointed that they could not pick up a point against Barcelona, but, in fairness, the La Liga match against the Blaugrana even at home was a free hit. Not many would have expected them to draw or win. Villarreal are still very much in the running for the top four of La Liga this season. Yes, they have lost their last three league games, but they are bound to pick up form soon.

Raphinha needs to do better

Raphinha has not had the best of times at Barcelona since his move from Leeds United in the summer of 2022. While the Brazil international continues to work hard, the winger’s crosses are not always to the point. Raphinha is not scoring enough goals or providing enough assists. The Barcelona no. 22 has scored four goals and given four assists in 20 La Liga appearances so far this season. Raphinha needs to improve and do better.