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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