Barcelona will look to return to winning ways when they travel to the Estadio de la Ceramica to take on Villarreal having drawn back-to-back games in La Liga.
Ernesto Valverde’s side, who signed off the Champions League group stages with a 2-0 triumph over Sporting Lisbon at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, have won 11 and drawn three of their 14 league games so far this term.
But with Real Madrid convincing 5-0 winners over Sevilla on Saturday, the Blaugrana need a statement win of their own.
Here, we examine three key questions ahead of Sunday’s clash.
MASCHERANO BACK… FOR A WHILE?
A two-month lay-off for key Barcelona central defender Samuel Umtiti has made Javier Mascherano’s return from injury more urgent than previously, and the experienced Argentine could even be rushed back alongside Gerard Pique for the game despite limited training.
However, Mascherano’s future at the club is decidedly uncertain, with the 33 year-old apparently set upon completing a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League in January – a deal that Barca’s board were apparently happy to sanction until Umtiti got injured.
The debate over the long-serving stalwart’s future has been a major distraction in the build-up to the trip to Villarreal, with manager Ernesto Valverde doing his best to dodge the issue during his pre-match press conference on Saturday evening.
In any case, Valverde may well opt to stick with Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen, who has done pretty well since being called into the team for the first time in nearly two years as a result of Umtiti’s injury.
And if Mascherano goes in January, Vermaelen could be getting a lot more games.
Javier Mascherano has been back in training with Barcelona
ARE BARCA LOSING THEIR WAY?
Two consecutive draws in La Liga have narrowed Barca’s previously commanding lead at the top, with Real Madrid now lurking ominously five points behind first place ahead of Sunday’s tough game at Villarreal.
In truth, though, Barca’s performances in their 1-1 draw at Valencia and 2-2 home tie with Celta Vigo deserved better reward – in direct contrast, you could say, to some of the games they won earlier in the season without playing particularly well.
It could be argued that the Blaugrana’s luck has run out and they have now started to lose the points they were fortunate to collect a few weeks ago, and the period before Christmas will certainly be crucial as Barca attempt to overcome this weekend’s banana skin ahead of the Clasico date at the Bernabeu in a fortnight.
More dropped points at Villarreal, whether deservedly or not, would strengthen the suspicion that Barca are entering into freefall, and the game at El Madrigal is one of those occasions where they just need to win irrespective of how it happens. Over to you, Lionel Messi…
VILLARREAL DOWN BUT NOT OUT?
Villarreal have perhaps been the most inconsistent team in La Liga so far this season, with their erratic tendencies highlighted in their most recent home league game against Sevilla which saw them race into a 2-0 lead before collapsing to lose 3-2.
The Yellow Submarine have won just one of their last five league games, and suffered a shock – albeit harmless – defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League on Thursday night after already clinching progression to the knockout stage.
They are missing key striker Carlos Bacca for the visit of Barca, while classy young midfielder Pablo Fornals is also absent after fainting during training on Saturday.
So a lot of things appear to be pointing against Villarreal for their meeting with the leaders.
But they are still sixth in the table, and with dangerous attacking talent including pacy frontman Cedric Bakambu, wily winger Samu Castillejo and playmaker Manu Trigueros, their chances of causing an upset certainly can’t be discounted.
Villareal’s Congolese forward Cedric Bakambu
