A first-half blitz helped Barcelona ease past Villarreal on Thursday night and close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points.
On a nervy evening at Camp Nou after disappointing results in the Champions League and El Clasico, Barça were frustrated in the opening half hour but a quick-fire double from Lewandowski and another from Ansu Fati settled the contest before half time.
After watching his side go close through Fati and Ferran Torres, Xavi almost broke out into a smile when the ruthless Lewandowski picked up Jordi Alba’s cross and sold two Villarreal defenders before finishing under goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli for 1-0.
The home crowd first celebrated then relaxed even further when the former Bayern Munich striker made it two, capitalising on excellent work from Pedri and Gavi to curl beautifully into the far corner from the edge of the box.
Fati then continued his comeback with his first goal since September, eventually converting with a backheel from close range after his first effort from Torres’ pass had hit the post.
The pace of the game slowed dramatically in the second half, allowing Barça to conserve some energy after what has been a chastening few weeks.
Their participation in the Champions League past the group stage is in major doubt following their latest disappointment against Inter, while Clasico rivals Real added to their woes with a 3-1 victory on Sunday.
However, Lewandowski’s goals and Fati’s strike quashed any potential Villarreal revival, in turn improving Barça’s own league prospects.
GK: Marc Andre ter Stegen – 6/10 – A pedestrian outing for the German shot stopper.
RB: Sergi Roberto – 6/10 – Captained the side and was steady enough at right back. Didn’t misplace any of his 53 passes.
CB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Made five recoveries and two interceptions, looking agile across Barça’s backline.
CB: Marcos Alonso – 6/10 – Looked pretty exposed as a makeshift centre back, though he did improve as the game wore on.
LB: Jordi Alba – 8/10 – Set up Lewandowski’s first and was a threat on the left all evening.
CM: Gavi – 7/10 – Industrious in midfield and got the assist for Lewandowski’s second.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 8/10 – Made five tackles and had 93 touches – the fourth highest in the game – and what was probably an annoyingly influential display for Xavi to watch.
CM: Pedri – 7/10 – Was always on the hunt for possession, winning fouls here and there and looking to play forward.
RW: Ferran Torres – 7/10 – Made a couple of…
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