When Chelsea took down Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, Hansi Flick promised {that a} new Barcelona would arrive within the coming video games and that the outcomes would change instantly.
The supervisor couldn’t have lived as much as his phrase higher, nor may the group have discovered a greater time limit to step up.
Commercial
Since that fated conflict in London, Barcelona have performed six video games and gained all six of them. They’ve scored 17 targets in that length and conceded simply six.
The ultimate recreation of the calendar yr now sees them journey to Estadio de La Ceramica for a conflict in opposition to Villarreal, and the group undoubtedly could have it as their goal to finish a flawless December on the evening.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Villarreal vs Barcelona.
A table-top conflict
17 video games into the league season, Barcelona are comfortably on prime of the league desk with 43 factors as they’ve gained 14 of their video games, drawn as soon as, and misplaced two video games.
Commercial
Actual Madrid, because it stands, are the closest to them by way of factors as they linger on 39 factors with as many video games performed. Notably, they’ve two extra attracts and as many defeats because the Catalans.
Villarreal, Barcelona’s upcoming opponents, come third on the desk and have additionally been having fun with a superb yr within the league to date, and sit on 35 factors, simply 4 factors behind Actual Madrid.
What makes the state of affairs extra attention-grabbing, nevertheless, is that the Yellow Submarines have performed two video games lower than Actual Madrid, which means they’re really far nearer to Los Blancos or may properly even be forward of them.
Barcelona enter the sport as La Liga’s prime scoring group by far, with 49 targets scored, 15 greater than the second highest. Villarreal, in the meantime, enter with the very best defensive report with simply 13 targets conceded, three fewer than the subsequent finest.
Commercial
Tomorrow’s recreation, thus, is one between two probably table-topping groups, and Barcelona won’t have it simple. Video games between the 2 sides have historically been goalfests, and this yr could be the similar.
A giant evening for De Jong
Set to start out in Pedri’s absence. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photos)
The massive information from Barcelona’s camp forward of the sport at La Ceramica is the state of affairs of Pedri, who has been dominated out of the competition.
The midfielder has not been coaching with the group and even missed the ultimate session forward of the Villarreal conflict, confirming suspicions that he’s coping with discomfort.
Commercial
The supervisor relayed in that the setback is minor and that Pedri won’t play out of warning, however there’s additionally a fear that it might be a that retains him out for longer.
In any case, the state of affairs calls out for Frenkie de Jong and fingers the Dutchman an opportunity to battle for his spot within the group.
The previous month has not been simple for De Jong as he initially missed video games by way of illness and private points after which went on to get replaced within the beginning lineup by Eric Garcia.
With Pedri out, he will definitely return to the XI tomorrow and thereby look to impress Flick with a robust efficiency. In any case, he has loads to show to the supervisor by way of the steadiness he can convey to the group.
Commercial
Rounding off 2025
Whereas Barcelona’s rejuvenation started when Hansi Flick took over the reins on the membership, their purple patch final season solely started in January, after the group returned from the Christmas break.
Up till December, the Catalans suffered months of poor outcomes and unconvincing performances main them to drop the lead in La Liga and slip within the standings.
As soon as 2025 started, nevertheless, the group switched to a unique gear and commenced gathering silverware – first with the Spanish Tremendous Cup and later La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Now, they stare on the closing recreation of what has been a particular calendar yr, and it is just becoming that they finish the yr on a excessive be aware. A win over Villarreal would undoubtedly be a particular means to take action.
Commercial
As quickly because the group return from the hiatus, they are going to kick off with the Catalan derby and the Spanish Tremendous Cup – conditions that demand the group to be on music. Ending the yr and heading into the holidays on a excessive, for sure, will go a good distance.