Barcelona recorded an important victory over Villarreal on Sunday as Frenkie de Jong returned to the starting line-up. The La Liga leaders were rarely troubled at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Barcelona produced a mature, controlled performance to beat Villarreal by two goals to nil at the Estadio de la Ceramica today, with Frenkie de Jong returning to the starting line up and immediately stamping his authority on the match.
It was a win built on early efficiency, tactical discipline, and a calm response to the few moments when Villarreal threatened to turn the game into something more chaotic.
De Jong’s inclusion was one of the main talking points before kick off. It was his first La Liga start since the ninth of November, after a spell in which he had been used more cautiously and, in recent weeks, had seen Eric Garcia preferred in midfield. With Pedri dealing with hamstring problems, Hansi Flick opted for a measured approach and chose not to risk the Spanish playmaker. The decision gave De Jong both an opportunity and a responsibility, and Barcelona reinforced that message by handing him the captain’s armband. From the opening minutes, he played like a leader, offering angles in build up, helping to control the rhythm, and providing a clear reference point when Barcelona needed to slow the game down.
Barcelona’s game plan was evident early. They aimed to monopolise possession, pull Villarreal’s midfield line out of shape, and then accelerate through the half spaces once a lane opened. Villarreal, for their part, were comfortable conceding territory, trying to keep their defensive block compact and saving their energy for counter attacks. That dynamic made Barcelona’s first goal even more important, because scoring early forces the home side to take more risks and leaves more room behind them.
The breakthrough came from the penalty spot, with Raphinha making the decisive contribution. The winger drove into the area and was brought down by Santi Comesana, and Raphinha took responsibility to convert the penalty with composure. The goal also extended a striking Barcelona trend. The Catalans have now scored in their last thirty eight La Liga matches, their longest scoring streak in the competition since the two thousand thirteen to two thousand fourteen season, when they managed to score in sixty four consecutive league fixtures. Beyond the statistic, it also reflected the confidence with which Barcelona approach games at the moment, even away from home and even against opponents who usually cause them problems.
Villarreal’s response was not reckless, but they did try to exploit the moments when Barcelona committed bodies forward. They looked to win the ball and release runners quickly, especially into the channels behind Barcelona’s full backs. There was a brief moment of alarm when Jules Kounde slid the ball into his own net in the eighteenth minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. That incident mattered, because it reminded Barcelona that control of possession does not automatically equal control of risk. Villarreal did not create sustained pressure, but they showed they could punish a lapse if Barcelona’s defensive line lost its timing.
The match then tilted further towards Barcelona just before half time. Renato Veiga made a reckless challenge from behind on Lamine Yamal and was shown a straight red card. From that point, Villarreal’s task became extremely difficult. Down to ten men, the home side were forced into damage limitation, while Barcelona could circulate the ball with even more patience and wait for a clear opening rather than forcing the issue.
In the second half, Barcelona’s priority was to avoid giving Villarreal hope through sloppy transitions. De Jong was central to that control. He consistently offered an outlet under pressure, helped Barcelona recycle possession after attacks broke down, and ensured the team remained balanced when they advanced. It was not a performance full of flashy moments, but it was tactically significant, particularly in a stadium where Barcelona have historically had to suffer to get results.
The decisive second goal arrived a little after the hour mark. Yamal finished from close range after a move that De Jong helped to drive and complete with the final pass. The combination of a two goal lead and a one man advantage effectively closed the contest. Villarreal no longer had the numbers to press Barcelona’s build up, and Barcelona were too disciplined to allow the kind of end to end game that can revive a trailing side.
From there, Flick’s team managed the match professionally. The ball did most of the defensive work, and Barcelona controlled where the game was played. Villarreal continued to look for counter attacking moments, but the spaces were limited, and Barcelona’s recovery runs and positioning prevented clear cut chances.
The only significant negative for Barcelona was Kounde’s late injury. With around ten minutes remaining, he was forced to leave the pitch, which slightly dulled the satisfaction of the win. Depending on the severity, Flick may have to adjust his defensive options in the coming fixtures, especially during a period where squad management becomes crucial.
The broader implications of the result are substantial. Barcelona have now gone seventeen straight away matches at Villarreal without defeat. Within that run, they have won twelve times and drawn five. In the table, the victory restores Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid to four points, reinforcing their status as the front runners in La Liga. Villarreal remain fourth, but now sit eleven points behind Barcelona, a gap that underlines how difficult it is to keep pace with the leaders across a long season.
Earlier in the day, Atletico Madrid also strengthened their position with a three goal win away at Girona. Koke opened the scoring against the side of Daley Blind, who started the match, and it was the Atletico captain’s fiftieth goal for the club. Conor Gallagher and Antoine Griezmann added the other goals to complete a convincing victory. Taken together with Barcelona’s win, it kept the pressure on in the upper part of the table and ensured there was no easing off among the leading contenders.
For Barcelona, this was the kind of away performance that often defines title winning campaigns: efficient in front of goal, composed under pressure, and disciplined once the advantage was established. De Jong’s return, capped by the captain’s armband and an assist, added another layer to the story, suggesting Flick has a key figure ready to play a bigger role as the season moves into its decisive stretch.
