Barça ended the first 45 minutes with a 2-2 draw against Villarreal, which could have been worse. Gavi and De Jong scored in a Barça side that started with two goals and equalized with goals from Foyth and Sorloth.
Xavi did not change the structure (maintains commitment to the four midfielders) but some key plays. The first, Pedri’s absence, was due to injury. Gundogan has performed the functions of the canary in midfield with Romeu and De Jong at the foot of the pitch and with German and Gavi in front. Xavi has claimed his commitment to the very young Lamine Yamal, while Ferran Torres, one of the options to get into the eleven today, has remained on the bench for the time being. Lewandowski is still missing.
This is the FC Barcelona players’ 1×1 against Villarreal at halftime:
5
Ter Stegen, goalkeeper
Frustrated
He solved a one-on-one against Sorloth by kneeling the ball out with an acrobatic move. But from then on he was frustrated and confident in the two Villarreal goals.
4
Sergi Roberto, defender
maladjusted
He had a hard time adjusting to the partnership between Pedraza and Baena. Roberto suffered from Villarreal’s attacking aggressiveness on that flank but it wasn’t easy. Neither Gündogan nor Lamine contributed sufficiently to the defensive work in the first 45 minutes. He is featured in the photo of the two Villarreal goals as he cannot cover his back well.
5
Koundé, defense
moderate
He regained the position of centre-back alongside Christensen. The Frenchman broke the offside on Villarreal’s second goal and failed to pass safety to the defence.
5
Andreas Christensen, defense attorney
Overcome
Throughout the defence: less punctual than usual, outperformed on Villarreal’s tight crosses; without the characteristic consistency. He repeatedly drew the wrath of Óscar Hernández.
4
Marcos Alonso, defender
upset
It was difficult for him to find his place in this hybrid position between winger and winger. In attack, he has hardly improved and in defense he has lost. Villarreal have had a goal disallowed for offside and are close to reclaiming it.
6
Oriol Romeu, midfielder
required
He has cemented his role as a positional midfielder and was a sought-after player against Villarreal’s Arreones. Despite trying to speed up the game from the first touch, he hasn’t quite felt comfortable yet due to the pressure from Setién’s team.
7
Frenkie de Jong, midfielder
ubiquitous
The best Barça midfielder. Author of the team’s second goal with an inside shot, he had a great presence in the game. The Dutchman was unbalanced in terms of driving and very ambitious in attack.
5
Ilkay Gundogan, midfielder
Irregular
Although it was too sporadic, the game has improved with each intervention. The German has played in Pedri’s position and his performances between the lines have hurt Villarreal. But his mistakes were very expensive: the second goal for Setién’s men starts with his defeat.
7
Gavi, midfielder
Sharp
From the start he again played as a winger and was very perceptive between the lines. It was Barca’s first goal. He did it head on after a tender middle of Lamine.
6
Lamine Yamal, forward
changing
He left good sensations in attack, but punished the team in defence. Arriba gave Gavi an assist and left some great touches; In defence, he made it much easier for Pedraza, who had no resistance to step up.
4
Robert Lewandowski, forward
Isolated
No news from Poland, who is not here at the moment. He shows himself without sparks or influence on the team: in every game situation he is one gear behind.