Barça takes one last torpedo from the ‘Submarine’
Xavi’s men say goodbye to the course with a defeat against a Villarreal that closes the European zone
MADRID, 23 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça fell (0-2) against Villarreal on the last day of LaLiga Santander this Sunday held at the Camp Nou, a bad game for the Catalans to close a bad season, while Unai Emery’s men defended seventh place in the table.
If Xavi Hernández’s team lacked motivation, even playing to enter the next Champions League, with second place already assured, Barça let themselves go. Emery’s men were dominated in the first half, but Pedraza made it 0-1.
In the second half, the local team once again had more possession of the ball, but with hardly any dangerous arrivals. Moi Gómez, as a gift from Adama Traoré, made it 0-2 that confirmed Villarreal in seventh place, to play the Conference League next season.
The yellows had to do their homework pending against Athletic Club, who, one point behind, trusted in Barça’s favor and would win in Seville. Neither one thing nor the other, the Catalan team was far from winning and the Basques fell (1-0) at the Sánchez Pizjuán, with which the ‘Submarino’ fulfilled the objective.
The last torpedo of Emery’s team was taken by a Barça that dismissed the course with a bad face, a year in white and that leaves a lot of work ahead. Xavi’s men took the initiative from the start, soon recovering the ball and putting their rival further and further behind. However, he did not have a clear chance either.
Villarreal, on the other hand, struck in the first, a great combination that found Pedraza’s solitary entry down the left wing to make it 0-1 shortly before the break. Xavi’s team regained control, but not even the entry of Ansu Fati and Dembélé meant seeing the goal closer to the locals.
Moi Gómez’s 0-2, in a poor clearance by Traoré, lowered even more the enthusiasm of the Barça game. Ansu Fati managed to score, but offside, and Dembélé, who did not go crazy on his entry, also had a deflected shot. Thus, Barça, who already knew themselves second, ends a sad year with a sad version. Villarreal, with the task completed.
–RESULT: FC BARCELONA, 0 – VILLARREAL CF, 2. (0-1, at halftime).
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Alves (Mingueza, min. 81), Araujo, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Gavi (Riqui Puig, min.71), Adama Traoré (Dembélé, min.57), Ferran Torres and Aubameyang (Ansu Fati, min.57).
VILLARREAL CF: Rulli; Gaspar (Jackson, min. 67), Pau Torres, Albiol, Pedraza (Rubén Peña, min. 83); Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros (Aurier, min.67), Moi Gómez (Chukwueze, min.83), Lo Celso and Alcácer (Estupiñán, min.67).
0 – 1, min.41, Pedraza.
0 – 2, min. 55, Moi Gómez.
–REFEREE: Munuera Montero (C. Andalusia). He admonished Gavi (min.45 1), Busquets (min.59) and Alba (min.65) by Barça. And Parejo (min.45 2) at Villarreal.
–STADIUM: Camp Nou, 54,850 spectators.
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