Sports, Spain, La Liga
Carlos Medrano Araujo
February 13, 2023
Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, and scorer Pedri celebrated a solo goal against Villarreal at La Céramica Stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Photo: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona beat Villarreal at home by the score of 0-1, with that victory "The Blaugranas" take an 11-point advantage over their closest rival Real Madrid in the race to win La Liga. A solo goal from Pedri ensures victory for the team and extends its good moment in the domestic competition.
The solidity of the team led by Xavi Hernandez has resulted in 16 league games in which the goal has been unbeaten. Its defensive line, led by the Uruguayan Ronald Araújo, together with Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, and the young Alejandro Balde, shelters their goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen with timely ball interventions and closed spaces.
At minute 3' Pedri showed how inspired and magical he was that day when he filtered a pass to Robert Lewandowski who was in a one-on-one against goalkeeper Pepe Reina and missed his shot. It was a warning of what was to come in a few minutes.
In the 16th minute, pressure from Jules Kounde on Baena who lost control, Frenkie de Jong recovered it and passed Raphinha. With one touch Raphinha passed to Pedri and triangled with Lewandowski to stay in front of the goal and define on one side of the goalkeeper. This is how Barcelona marked the 0-1 at the La Ceramica stadium.
Barcelona seemed to be inspired in the first half, de Jong combined with Lewandowski and with a wrapped pass he put Lewandowski inside the area with a controlled ball. The Polish striker hooked the Albiol defender and shot on target, but Pepe Reina again saved his shot.
At minute 45' + 3 Pedri headed a ball from midfield towards his goal and enabled Morales who in a one-on-one against Ter Stegen was erratic when defining from the outside, without even hitting the goal.
A deflected shot by Raphinha was Barcelona's most dangerous move in the second half, then Alex Baena from Villarreal wanted to surprise Ter Stegen from distance, but his shot was also deflected.
At minute 89' Yeremy Pino received the ball and with a cue passed to Samu Chukweze who defined against Ter Stegen but the referee marked it offside, which would later be confirmed by the VAR.
During the game Lewandowski only appeared three times, the last one came at minute 90' + 2 when he received a ball in front of the penalty box and shot on goal, but Pepe Reina saved the shot.
A last-minute shot by Villarreal was reviewed in VAR to verify if there was no handball from Kounde but the video showed that the ball had hit the hip and the referee only scored the end, with the result Villarreal 0 Barcelona 1.
Barcelona has started the year with a perfect record. Six games, six wins, nine goals for, and only one against. The next league game on Saturday, February 18, Villarreal visits Mallorca and Barcelona receives Cadiz.
Share This Post On
0 comments
Leave a comment
You need to login to leave a comment. Log-in
