Villarreal vs FC Barcelona: A trial to redeem themselves and maintain their unbeaten run in LaLiga

Published:21/09/2024 - 02:05h

Updated:22/09/2024 - 17:44h

Barça face Villarreal this Sunday with the aim of achieving their sixth consecutive victory in La Liga and maintaining first place in the standings. The Catalans hope to get back on track after the 'setback' they received in their Champions League debut

FC Barcelona will be back in action in LaLiga EA Sports after their troubled debut in the Champions League. The team managed by Hansi Flick will visit the Estadio de la Cerámica next Sunday, September 22 to face Villarreal in the match corresponding to the sixth round of the Spanish championship. The ball will start rolling at 18:30 and the Catalans will face one of the best teams at the start of the season.

The Catalan team will seek to shake off the setback suffered in Europe, where AS Monaco gave them their first defeat of the campaign. However, in Spain the sensations are very different. The Blaugranas have had a perfect start in the local competition, adding 15 out of 15 with five victories in the first five rounds of the tournament. The last duel against Girona was a blow on the table for Flick's team, who scored and pleased one of their 'executioners' from last season.

For its part, the squad managed by Marcelino García Toral has also not known defeat so far this season. The 'groguet' team has three wins and two draws, equalling Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid in second place in the league table with eleven points, although below the Madrid team on goal difference. At the moment, Mallorca (1-2), Celta (4-3) and Sevilla (1-2) have been their 'victims', while the colchoneros (1-1) and Valencia (1-1) have managed to 'scrape' points from them, so Barça has a tough test ahead.

Hansi Flick's 'puzzle'

Injuries continue to be a real 'headache' for the Blaugrana entity and Hansi Flick, whose squad has been punished by physical problems at a time of the season when it is necessary to have depth in the squad. Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López were joined by Dani Olmo, who was injured in the last league match against Girona. In addition, Ferran Torres was sent off in a match in which he will not be available for the German in Villarreal.

With the midfield and defence both 'depleted' by the absences, Flick is expected to repeat the line-up used in Monaco as it is a very demanding match. Eric García, who barely played 10 minutes at the Luis II before receiving the red card, would accompany Pedri and Casadó in midfield. Meanwhile, the forward line would remain intact in the absence of the 'Tiburón', since Ansu Fati barely played 8 minutes last Thursday and the Barça coach assured that they will handle his return with caution.

Barça hope to maintain the trend in Villarreal

Despite the good form of those led by Marcelino García Toral, whose stadium is one of the most difficult to visit in LaLiga, the record favours the Catalans. In the last five duels played at La Cerámica between both squads, the Catalans have achieved five victories. An impressive unbeaten streak for the Blaugranas, who aim to get their sixth consecutive win this Sunday.

Once the duel in Monaco was over, the Blaugrana squad, led by Hansi Flick, assured that they have their sights set on the test on September 22, where they hope to return to winning ways with a key victory to increase the gap in the standings with one of their direct competitors at the start of this campaign. A real 'trial by fire' for Barça, who hope to get the three points to get even further to the top of the championship.