On May 9, 2018, Barcelona faced Villarreal in a La Liga match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona secured a dominant 5-1 victory, continuing their unbeaten run in the league and showcasing their attacking prowess in front of their home fans.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Barcelona: 5 (Philippe Coutinho 11′, Paulinho 16′, Lionel Messi 45′, Ousmane Dembélé 87′, 90+3′)
- Villarreal: 1 (Nicola Sansone 54′)
- Possession:
- Barcelona controlled the game with 58% possession, while Villarreal had 42%. Barcelona’s control of the ball allowed them to dictate the tempo and create numerous chances, particularly in the first half.
- Shots:
- Barcelona registered 16 shots, with 8 on target, reflecting their attacking intent and clinical finishing. Villarreal had 11 shots, with 4 on target, but they struggled to break down Barcelona’s defense for much of the match.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Barcelona had a high passing accuracy of 89%, completing 626 passes out of 704 attempts. Villarreal had a passing accuracy of 83%, completing 447 passes out of 537 attempts. Barcelona’s superior ball retention and precision in passing were key to their control of the match.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Barcelona made 14 tackles compared to Villarreal’s 13, showing their effectiveness in winning back possession and limiting Villarreal’s attacking opportunities. Despite conceding a goal, Barcelona’s defense was largely solid throughout the match.
- Set Pieces:
- Barcelona’s goals came from a mix of open play and a set-piece situation. Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring by tapping in after a save from Villarreal’s goalkeeper. Paulinho doubled the lead five minutes later, finishing off a well-worked team move. Lionel Messi added the third just before halftime, converting a cross from Andrés Iniesta. Ousmane Dembélé scored twice late in the match, the first from a counter-attack and the second a solo effort after a corner was cleared. Villarreal’s goal came from Nicola Sansone, who finished off a quick counter-attack.
- Individual Performances:
- Lionel Messi was once again the standout player for Barcelona, scoring a goal and playing a key role in orchestrating the attack. Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho were also influential, each scoring and contributing significantly to Barcelona’s midfield dominance. Ousmane Dembélé, with his two late goals, capped a strong individual performance. For Villarreal, Nicola Sansone’s goal was a highlight, but the team struggled to contain Barcelona’s attacking threats.
- Tactical Overview:
- Barcelona employed a 4-4-2 formation under Ernesto Valverde, focusing on controlling the midfield and using the creative talents of Messi and Coutinho to break down Villarreal’s defense. Villarreal used a 4-4-2 formation as well, aiming to stay compact defensively and hit Barcelona on the counter-attack. However, Barcelona’s high pressing and quick transitions proved too much for Villarreal to handle.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, one for Barcelona (Jordi Alba 62′) and two for Villarreal (Víctor Ruiz 40′, Jaume Costa 68′). The fouls were largely tactical, aimed at disrupting the opposition’s play and preventing counter-attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Barcelona won 8 corners compared to Villarreal’s 2, reflecting their sustained pressure and territorial advantage. Barcelona were caught offside twice, while Villarreal had three offside calls, indicating both teams’ attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense.
Summary
Barcelona’s 5-1 victory over Villarreal at the Camp Nou was another demonstration of their dominance in the 2017-2018 La Liga season. With goals from Philippe Coutinho, Paulinho, Lionel Messi, and a late brace from Ousmane Dembélé, Barcelona maintained their unbeaten run in the league and showcased their attacking prowess.
The match was largely one-sided, with Barcelona controlling possession and creating numerous chances. Villarreal managed to score a consolation goal through Nicola Sansone, but they were outplayed for much of the match. Barcelona’s midfield, led by Messi and supported by Coutinho and Paulinho, dictated the pace of the game, while their defense, though breached once, largely kept Villarreal at bay.
This victory was part of Barcelona’s remarkable domestic campaign, where they remained unbeaten in La Liga until the final matchday. The performance highlighted the depth and quality of Barcelona’s squad, as they continued to assert their dominance in Spanish football. The match also featured strong individual performances from Messi, Coutinho, and Dembélé, who all played crucial roles in securing the three points.
