Recent goals from Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho brought Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Villarreal at LaLiga Santander on Saturday night at the Estadio de La Ceramica.
The visitors advanced to the start of the second half with Frankie de Jong, with only Villarreal able to come back and get a level with Samu Chukwueze. As soon as it looked like the Yellow Submarine was ready to find the winner, Memphis turned the tables by taking advantage of Villarreal’s error and scoring the final goal. Coutinho would then reverse the suspension to secure a second league victory for new manager Xavi Hernandez.
Xavi gave the first start to young Abde, who attacked Gavi and Memphis, and in the back were three defenders in the middle of Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, and Eric Garcia.
There was a lot to talk about in the first few minutes of Barcelona’s three chances and the argument of referee Soto Grado, who saved Dani Parejo from a red card for a foul on Sergio Busquets and Pique’s handball that could have entered the field. place.
One of these opportunities in Barcelona was for Memphis, who had missed a clear chance later in the season, with Yeremi Pino and Pedraza having missed chances.
As in Espanyol’s victory last week, Barcelona’s goal came shortly after the start, as Jordi Alba’s cross from Memphis reached the stabbing foot of De Jong, who came on easily. Initially, it was decided offside, the game went to VAR and the goal was confirmed by Barcelona’s 1-0 lead.
Villarreal began to respond slightly, so Xavi went to his bench, bringing Ousmane Dembele to Abde, followed by Oscar Mingueza to Alba and Philippe Coutinho to Nico.
The momentum was at Villarreal and he was confident the home side would score an equalizer as the defensive end allowed Villarreal substitute Samuel Chukwueze to step in and hit the first shot past goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 1-1.
Villarreal looked to be the best team to find the winner and Danjuma almost did that with a right-handed shot by Ter Stegen, but instead slipped off the post.
But as the match progressed Memphis would sneak up and catch the late winner for the Catalans when a long pitch from Ter Stegen was directed by Pervis Estupinan of Villarreal, allowing the Dutch striker to jump and eventually shoot at Barcelona. 2-1 profit.
Juan Foyth’s goal for Coutinho in the Villarreal area led to a penalty kick and the Brazilian striker scored, polishing 3-1.
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