Barcelona - Villarreal live online: lineups, score, stats and updates, LaLiga EA Sports
LaLiga: Barcelona - Villarreal live updates
VAR controversy in LaLiga
That late victory for Real Madrid over Almeria last weekend didn't come without controversy, of course, with Los Blancos, who were 2-0 down at half time, benefitting from three decisions being overturned in their favour after second-half VAR checks.
Xavi had his say, Joan Laporta had his say, Vinícius Júnior had his say. And so did a few others. Everything you need to know is in here. Some "light" pre-match reading for you.
LALIGA
“Almería robbed at the Bernabéu”, the press reaction to Sunday’s LaLiga game
LALIGA
What did Barcelona coach Xavi say about the VAR controversy in Real Madrid - Almería?
LALIGA
Vinicius reacts to controversial Madrid goal citing the Copacabana
LALIGA
Real Madrid - Almería VAR controversy: “The referee was shown wrong images for Vinícius’ goal”
LALIGA
Barcelona president Joan Laporta describes LaLiga as “corrupted” after Real Madrid VAR controversy
Vinícius Júnior equalises for Real Madrid
Well, that Las Palmas lead didn't last long, did it? Vinícius Júnior has levelled for Real Madrid and is anyone betting against them going on to win late on, as they did last weekend?
Colombian international Mosquera could make Villarreal debut
Colombian defender Yerson Mosquera, who spent the 2023 season on loan with FC Cincinnati in MLS, has joined Villarreal on a temporary basis from Premier League side Wolves and could make his debut for the club from the bench.
Carme Ripollés
Villarreal’s goals galore
Only the top six teams in the league have scored more goals than Villarreal (28), despite them being 14th in the table. You can probably guess the problem lies at the other end.
Only Almería and Granada, the bottom two, have conceded more (42 in 21 matches). Leaky.
Barcelona arrive at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
I'm going to be honest, I watched this just to see what Jules Koundé was wearing. Can you spot him? He doesn't stick out at all, I promise...
Girona travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday
League leaders Girona (yes, you read that right) travel to Celta Vigo in the early game on Sunday, by the way.
Las Palmas lead Real Madrid
Not Barcelona - Villarreal related but the Catalans will certainly have an eye on Real Madrid's Game away to Las Palmas, which has just passed the hour mark. And the hosts have taken a shock lead (which Barça won't be sad about)!
Life isn't that easy without Jude Bellingham, after all...
AIOL / DIARIO AS
Barça defensive struggles
Since Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s last appearance for the club against Alavés in LaLiga, the Catalans have played 15 matches (including a pre-Christmas friendly against Liga MX side Club América in Dallas), in which Iñaki Peña has conceded 28 goals and kept only two clean sheets. Not that I want to pin all the blame on Barça number 13…
While Barcelona had not been nearly as solid defensive as last season prior to ter Stegen’s absence, the 31-year-old had still managed eight shutouts in 17 appearances, in which he had let in 15 goals.
How do you say "hurry back" in German?
Players' view of Montjuïc
And here's a little glimpse of what the players will see when they emerge from the tunnel, courtesy of the Villarreal social media team.
When do Barcelona go back to Camp Nou?
You’ll be more than used to it now, but just a friendly reminder today’s Game isn’t being played at Camp Nou, which is being given a fresh lick of paint (and a bit more). The 55,000-capacityEstadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, the main stadium for the 1992 Olympic Games, hosts today’s Game and Barça’s home fixtures until November this year (in theory, at least).
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Raphinha, Marcos Alonso and Iñigo Martínez still out
Ah, yes, injuries...
Completing the list of Barcelona absentees are Raphinha (hamstring), Marcos Alonso (back) and Iñigo Martínez (thigh), with all three facing a race against time to play any part in that Champions League tie versus Napoli.
Perhaps thumbs down would've been more appropriate.
Ok, so where was I...?
Villarreal team to play Barcelona
And this is how the visitors, also injury-hit, will line up.
Jörgensen; Femenía, Bailly, Cuenca, Moreno; Akomach, Comesaña, Coquelin, Baena; Moreno, Sorloth.
Barcelona team to play Villarreal
Here's the Barça team to face Villarreal. With no Balde or Alonso, teenager Héctor Fort starts at left-back.
Peña; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Fort; de Jong, Romeu, Gündogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Félix.
I'm going to interrupt my injury list run-through... but for very good reason!
ALBERT GEA / REUTERS
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen sets return date
There is good news, however, surrounding first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who revealed at an awards ceremony a few days ago that he “could be back in two weeks,” which is now a bit less than that. If the German’s prediction is correct, we could see him back for the LaLiga game at home to Granada on 11 February, a full 10 days before the first leg of the Champions League Round-of-16 tie against Napoli.
Sergi Roberto, en el partido contra Las Palmas. / DESIREE MARTIN / AFP
Sergi Roberto drops out due to muscle problem
Club captain Sergi Roberto has been in, out, in and back out of the team since recovering from an injury that caused him to miss several games in October and November. He came off the bench in extra time in midweek but has picked up another muscle problem and drops out of the squad for this one.
Alejandro Balde set for lengthy absence
Gavi’s fellow youngster Alejandro Balde has started Barcelona’s last few Games at left-back but won’t be starting any more for quite a while, sadly. He was forced off in the first half of the cup defeat in Bilbao and it turns out the hamstring injury he picked up will require surgery, which is set to keep him out for four months. Will we see him again this season, I wonder?
Gavi's long road to recovery
The 19-year-old does, at least, seem to be in pretty good spirts, posting a snap of him doing some gym work on Instagram on Friday. If "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba doesn't get you going, then nothing will.
Gavi a long-term absentee
We won’t be seeing Gavi again for quite a while, I’m afraid. The young midfielder tore his ACL while playing for Spain in the November international break and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, as well as Euro 2024. Ouch.
Barcelona had an injury list as long as a gorilla's arm in the early weeks of the season. After some brief respite, the fitness issues have returned. Let's take a look at when Xavi is likely to get some of his players back.
COPA DEL REY
Athletic Club - Barcelona summary: score, goals, highlights, Copa del Rey 2023/24
Barcelona knocked out out of Copa del Rey by Athletic Club
Barça couldn’t have made a worse start to their Copa del Rey quarter-final away to in-form Athletic Club, conceding the opening goal inside the first minute. But they rallied and led at the break thanks to strikes from Robert Lewandowski (lucky) and Lamine Yamal (sublime). That was as good as it got, though, as the Basque side levelled shortly after half time and went on to win the tie in extra time as a result of a Nico Williams brace.
Xavi's side are out of the cup, lost in the Spanish Super Cup final and are quite far back in the league. What price on them winning the Champions League...?
LA LIGA
Barcelona - Villarreal: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | La Liga
Still looking for a way to watch today's game? If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and our Andy is here with the details!
Just be sure to stick with me too, please!
You can also watch a Barcelona - Villarreal live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial
Early Villarreal team news: Parejo, Albiol and Pino head lengthy absentee list
Ready? Here we go…
Spain winger Yéremy Pino isn’t expected to play again until next season due to an ACL tear, while central defender Raúl Albiol and midfield playmaker Dani Parejo are also out once again but should return soon.
Alfonso Pedraza, Denis Suárez, Ramón Terrats and Juan Foyth are on the treatment table too, while veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina is suspended and Aïssa Mandi is on international duty with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Phew.
Barcelona matchday squad
With all that in mind, this is how the Barcelona squad to face Villarreal is looking. A number of teenagers, Lamine Yamal included, will be on Xavi's bench.
Early Barcelona team news: Gavi, Balde and ter Stegen among absentees
Key men Gavi and Marc-André ter Stegen remain on the sidelines, as do Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha and Marcos Alonso, who have been struck by more recent fitness issues. They have been joined in the treatment room this week by left-back Alejandro Balde, who is set to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem suffered in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey loss to Athletic Club, and club captain Sergi Roberto.
Defenders Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen both picked up knocks in Bilbao but are expected to be fit to play.
Villarreal submarine slowly sinking
We’ve become pretty used to seeing Villarreal playing in European competition over the last 20 years or so, with the odd exception. Which makes this season (so far) all the more disappointing. Now coached by former Valencia and Athletic Club manager Marcelino, they have won five, drawn five and lost 11 of their first 21 LaLiga games, which is…not great. As it sands, the 2021 Europa League winners are only five points clear of the relegation zone. Yikes.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 OSA | 25 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
13 RAY | 24 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 |
14 VLL | 20 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 |
15 MLL | 20 | 21 | 3 | 11 | 7 |
16 CEL | 17 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
Barcelona playing catch-up to Girona and Real Madrid
Barça are currently seven points behind Clásico rivals Real Madrid, who are in action at the moment away to Las Palmas (it's still 0-0 midway through the first half).
And let’s not forgot about Girona, oh no. Xavi’s chaps are eight points adrift of the “other” Catalans, but have a game in hand.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 GIR | 52 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
2 RMA | 51 | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 |
3 BCN | 44 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 |
4 ATM | 41 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
5 ATH | 41 | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
What time does Barcelona - Villarreal kick off?
We’ll have to wait a little though, as the clash in Catalonia gets underway at 6:30 p.m. local time, which is 12:30 p.m. ET and 9:30 a.m. PT. A LaLiga breakfast/brunch is a fine way to start the weekend, if you ask me.
Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!
Hello and welcome to Barcelona - Villarreal!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Barcelona’s return to LaLiga action against Villarreal at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc. Xavi Hernández’s side have fallen adrift of Girona and Real Madrid at the top of the table and have serious work to do if they are to get back into the title race. That works starts now against “The Yellow Submarine” (not sure if they are actually Beatles fans), who have flattened to deceive this season.
I'm Roddy and thanks for joining me, I'm expecting goals in this one (he says, jinxing it immediately).
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