Villareal vs. FC Barcelona – Laliga Match Review - March 2, 2019


A messy affair with a mystical end




Villareal vs. FC Barcelona 
Laliga Match Review - March 2, 2019 


Villareal were threatened by relegation as they came up against the league leaders FC Barcelona. With the 2nd placed Atletico being their next opponents, coach Valverrde went in with a much changed line-up leaving the three big names - Messi, Pique and Rakitic on the bench. Instead Malcom, Umtiti and Vidal got a start.

It was an insane start as Villareal fully utilized the flat-footed defending of Barcelona. The injury hit Umtiti was very clumsy and slow. Poor Lenglet was left confused and out of breath most of the time as he tried to do too many things. Villareal had a number of great chances to open their account but Ter Stegen came up with some incredible saves. 

To add to their woes, Jordi Alba on the left had a torrid time as he was constantly outrun by the the likes of Chukwueze and Ekambi. Busquets was ineffective while Arthur and Vidal couldn’t press forward since they were pegegd back by the attacking Villareal.

The wonderful Santi Cazorla was all over the Barcelona defense and midfield, slicing them open at will, with some exquisite and well timed through balls. The game looked very open and it was end to end stuff as both teams created chances only to be denied by the goal keepers.

Despite all the chaos in the middle and back, Barcelona managed to breach the Villareal defense as an inspired Malcom fed the likes of Coutinho and Saurez with some perfect crosses. Malcom on the right,  latched on to a lovely ball from Roberto and he teed it perfectly for Coutinho whoi finished it with ease.  Against the run of play, Villareal found themselves down 0-1. Then the lively Malcom turned striker. Lurking behind Luis Suarez, he scored with a looping header after Vidal sent in a weighted cross. Barcelona were up 0-2.

In a few minutes, after a one two with Suarez, Coutinho’s strike deflected off the post. Another Malcom cross from the left was met by Umtiti, but his final shot was wide off target. In the meantime, Cazorla found Chukwueze, who broke free of Alba and managed to strike. Though his first try was deflected by the woodwork, the ball fell kindly back to him and he was alert enough to finish it off, the second time to make it 1-2.

There were some heavy tackles from Villareal,while Barcelona also defended hard. The referee was busy flashing yellow cards to both sides. Lenglet had to deal with a injury which looked serious. But he came back after treatment and continued playing. Compared  to the frenetic start, the game slowed down as both teams tried to fend off each other.

The first half ended with Luis Suarez taking a well directed free klck, which was palmed away by the goalkeeper. Both teams could have had at least 2 to 3 goals more than what was reflected on the score sheet. Both teams had their chances while both looked vulnerable in defense.

Villareal started the 2nd half brightly and were rewarded with a well deserved goal. The unstoppable Chukwueze gave the ball to Ekambi. He managed to split the Barcelona flank and defence and took advantage of Ter Stegen’s poor positioning to score a stunning equaliser.

Messi came in for Coutinho for Barca with less than an hour to go. As if to welcome the Barcelona Captain, Morlanes threaded an exquisite ball to Iborra who had only Ter Stegen to beat. He did not falter and Villareal went up 3-2. The Ceramica stadium went wild with celebrations as it was turning into an unexpected and pleasant surprise for them.

Meanwhile Messi found Malcom whose cross was sent flying over the bar by the fumbling Suarez. Ter Stegen came up ith fantastic saves and kept Barca’s hopes alive. Malcom wasted another perfect pass from Messi. As the game reached the 80th minute, Cazorla with another flawless through ball found Bacca, who coolly went around the lonely Ter Stegen and made it 4-2 for Villareal. A famous and much needed win was in the making for the Yellow Submarines.

Barcelona faced the uphill task of getting 2 two goals in a matter of 10 minutes. Barca’s frustration spilled out as Vidal, Roberto, Alena (who didn’t do anything wrong) and Messi (for argument) were booked by the referee. With about 5 minutes to go, Villareal’s Alvaro Gonzalez, who was already booked, got himself sent off for a reckless challenge on Luis Suarez.

Even with only 10 men, Villareal had a two goal cushion which looked difficult to overcome. As Barca earnestly looked for the third goal, Villareal defenders were forced to bring down the energetic Messi on the edge of the Villareal box. He earned a free kick and he scored with a thunderous shot that zoomed past everyone into the net. It was 4-3, still in favour of Villareal in the 90th minute with 3 more minutes of added time.

Messi and the rest piled up the pressure and pushed the entire Villareal team into their own box. Barca won a corner in the last minute and Messi took it, even as Ter Stegen ventured into the oppostion’s box. The shambolic defense failed to clear the ball properly and it fell to Saurez who was only just inside the box. The wily Uruguayan, for once,  scored with a terrific, low half volley which made it 4-4 and that turned out to be the last shot of the match . It was a stunning end that left everyone speechless.


It was heart-rending to see a broken Cazorla who could not even muster the energy to get up after that shocking meltdown. A considerate Suarez consoled him after the game as Cazorla looked shattered. He was scintillating on the night and he gave his everything for his team. 



Looking at the way they were playing it was difficult to fathom how Villareal had gotten themselves into the relegation zone. But they dug their own grave with their mindless defending that saw them gain only 1 point instead of all 3. For the sake of the irrepressible Cazorla and their lively, young players, I truly wish Villareal learn from their mistakes and avoid relegation.



The talented Malcom justified his selection. He should be rewarded with more chances as he had been enterprising and hard working. He was the driving force who was instrumental in getting Barcelona into the lead, in the first half, despite the team being on the backfoot. A number of clubs would line up for grabbing a young talent like him. He is a great player in the making andd hope Barcelona does not let this player slip away, by not utilizing him properly.



Loved the way Messi brought in more life into the Barca attacks, with the limited time he got to play. Despite going down by 2 goals, he was not in the mood to give up. Though not a surprise anymore, he once again scored from an astounding free kick; but this time instead of a delicate touch, he blasted the ball with the power of an unflinching leader. He did not bother to celebrate much as he was more intent on continuing the game, in the little time that was left. The resolute Captain looked hell-bent on getting the equalizer.

Luis Saurez was annoyed with himself all through the game as he was well shackled and at times fouled by the hefty defenders of Villareal. He kept floundering when chances came his way. Yet, in his own typical style, he never gave up trying. He kept up the pressure and it was a foul on him that saw Villareal reduced to 10 men. It was a turning point in the game. 

Finally that last minute effort from the resilient Saurez was phenomenal. He took out all his frustration on that one mighty, first time, thunderbolt that somehow managed to rifle past the crowd of players in the box and smashed into the goal. He salvaged an unbelievable draw from what looked like a definite defeat. (Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for this big fellow with the biggest heart to find his form because he deserves it more than anyone. )

On a crazy night, what unfolded was an entertaining game of football filled with idiosyncrasies, utmost brilliance and an incredible 8 goals. It was one of the worst games for some of the consistent and impressive Barcelona Players like Busquets, Arthur Melo, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Vidal and Ter Stegen.

Barca were run ragged by Villareal and had little left in them. Pique, sitting in the dugout shook his head, in disappointment, knowing that they were headed towards a defeat that could throw the league wide open. Trailing 4-2, their shoiulders drooped and heads hung down. Yet as Messi’s dazzzling free kick went in, the invigorated team lifted themselves up and fought with all their might. In the dying minutes, the unwavering determination of Luis Saurez helped them avoid defeat.

A struggling Barcelona scripted a tremendous comeback and returned from the brink of defeat. Valverde was justified in making the changes. But there should be some kind of limit in the number of changes that needs to made. The lack of rhythm and coordination had Barca struggling against the constant threat of Villareal.

Finally it ended in a draw with both team sharing the spoils. But the contrasting effect the result had on the teams were evident from their reactions. Barcelona looked like they had won an incredible battle while Villareal were totally devastated.

It was magical, mystical and totally messy.

Dear Barca have some heart – please don’t play this way any more – It almost  gave me a heartattack!!

Image Credits - Google Images

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