Sunday, September 22 was a 'bitter' night for FC Barcelona. The Blaugranas visited Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica in the match corresponding to matchday 6 of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025, managing to maintain their unbeaten record and the lead in the local championship with a resounding thrashing of the 'groguets' that allows them to add 18 out of 18 and move 4 points away from Real Madrid. However, Ter Stegen's serious injury has put the 'stain' on a round game for the culés.
From the first minute, the match promised goals. Both teams 'hurt' each other in a constant back and forth although they were unable to concretize their opportunities. All this until Robert Lewandowski arrived, who with his double began to tip the balance in favor of a Barça that saw its advantage endangered after the goal by Ayoze Pérez, which seemed to give life to the locals. However, when they returned from the changing rooms, the Catalans maintained their clear superiority on the pitch and Pablo Torre and Raphinha sealed a match in which Flick's men 'overwhelmed' their rivals from the start.
Ter Stegen's injury 'spoils' the victory
The victory at La Cerámica takes a backseat after Marc-André Ter Stegen's serious injury to his right knee. The goalkeeper left the pitch in tears and on a stretcher in the final minutes of the first half after a bad fall on an aerial ball. In the absence of official confirmation, everything points to him suffering a dislocated kneecap, an inconvenience that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
Aside from the terrible news about Ter Stegen, the victory in Villarreal is a brutal blow to the table for the Blaugranas. Marcelino García Toral's team had not known defeat so far this season, and the Catalans ran over them at home. A thrashing that also helps them to 'shake off' the bad feelings generated after the Champions League defeat against Monaco and that will serve as a boost to seek a seventh consecutive victory on Wednesday against Getafe.
Match details: Villarreal 1-5 FC Barcelona
- Villarreal: Conde; Femenía, Bailly, Logan Costa, Cardona; Comesaña (Terrats, min. 78), Parejo (Gueye, min. 70), Baena (Akhomach, min. 78), Pino (Barry, min. 63); Pépé (Suárez, min. 78) y Ayoze.
- FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen (Iñaki Peña, min. 48); Koundé, S. Domínguez (Cubarsí, min. 59), Iñigo (Fort, min. 83), G. Martín; Eric García, Pedri (Casadó, min. 59), Pablo Torre (Pau Víctor, min. 59); Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal.
- Referee: Busquets Ferrer.
- Incidents: Match corresponding to Matchday 6 of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25
- Goals: 0-1, Robert Lewandowski (min. 20); 0-2, Robert Lewandowski (min. 35); 1-2, Ayoze Pérez (min. 38); 1-3, Pablo Torre (min. 58); 1-4, Raphinha (min. 74); 1-5, Raphinha (min. 83).