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Barcelona responded to a making an attempt week by producing a scintillating show to thrash Villarreal 4-1 away on Sunday and keep alive within the Liga title race.
The Catalans had drawn their last two matches to hand extra momentum to league leaders Real Madrid however Sunday’s win took them to 73 factors after 34 video games, 4 behind their arch-rivals who gained 1-Zero at Athletic Bilbao earlier within the day.
An personal aim from Pau Torres put Barca in entrance within the third minute, with Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno levelling on the rebound within the 14th earlier than the guests restored their lead via an excellent curling strike from Luis Suarez six minutes later.
Antoine Griezmann stretched Barca’s benefit simply earlier than the break with a elegant chip, having been dropped from the beginning lineup within the last two video games, whereas 17-year-old Ansu Fati added a fourth within the second half with a low strike.
For Barca defender Gerard Pique, delivering such a slick efficiency was as satisfying as returning to winning ways.
“It was crucial to get the three points to stay in the hunt but the way we played was important too because that’s a part of our identity so we need to keep playing like that until the end of the season,” he stated.
Barca’s confidence was rocked by draws with Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid whereas the sense of instability on the membership deepened amid reviews captain Lionel Messi was sad with the state of affairs and didn’t need to keep past his contract.
There had been additionally been loads of hypothesis surrounding coach Setien after he had introduced Griezmann on in added time towards Atletico, a transfer described within the Spanish media as an act of humiliation towards the World Cup-winning ahead.
Griezmann was named within the lineup towards a Villarreal facet who had gained 5 of their last six video games and was energetic from the kick off, serving to power the opening aim in addition to working tirelessly in midfield and mixing effectively with Messi and Suarez.
He adorned his efficiency with a luxurious aim, receiving a back-heeled lay off from Messi and coolly delivering a chip that skimmed off the crossbar and into the web.
Messi additionally produced an excellent efficiency however failed to rating because the Argentine had one effort dominated out for offside after an exciting workforce transfer after which hammered the bar with a late free kick.
Pique reacted to Messi’s aim being disallowed by showing to make a puppet gesture after Real Madrid lately benefitted from VAR choices however the defender stated he meant nothing by it, including that he had made the gesture due to a rush of adrenaline.
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