Villarreal 1 - Barcelona 4

• 1 - 1(13')Gerard Moreno

• 0 - 1(3')Pau Torres, p.p.
• 1 - 2(20')Luis Suárez
• 1 - 3(44')Griezmann
• 1 - 4(86')Ansu Fati

The best Barcelona appeared for Villarreal

Partidazo of the Setién, who do not give their arm to twist in the fight for the league title

LaLiga remains the same. Real Madrid and Barcelona resolved with victory the most difficult duels they had left and the four points of difference between the two remain. Villarreal's was a difficult game for Barcelona for many reasons. First, by the rival. A Villarreal that had not lost since the return of the break and aspires to fight for fourth place with Sevilla. Then, for the emotional aspect. Setién's men relied on a Real Madrid puncture in Bilbao in the morning to cut points to the leader but 0-1 was a blow that was difficult to assimilate mentally: LaLiga escapes. But neither one nor the other prevented the Catalans from playing a good game, making it clear that they will fight for the league title until the numbers say otherwise.And let no one forget that the Champions League is still out there waiting for a month from now. It would be the best way to save the season.

The unwanted victory of Madrid, to see a positive aspect in the culé version, caused a liberation effect in those of Setién that led them to play the best first part -I dare say- that of all LaLiga. He played with an unknown ease so far and it only took three minutes to get ahead on the scoreboard. A play by Jordi Alba on the wing ended Pau Torres' own goal when Griezmann was already preparing to finish off the heel. Yes, Griezmann played at the beginning and he did not do anything wrong -gozo included-, something that Barcelona missed. The evil of this team in this irregular season has not been the performance of the French. There are many other things in that locker room.

Villarreal was surprised by the game of rival touch, but still recovered soon in a quick counter that ended with a shot by Cazorla that deflected Ter Stegen before Gerard Moreno equalized after picking up the rejection of the goal. Sixteenth goal of the yellow striker, who has all the ballots to get the Zarra Trophy. This goal would have sunk Barcelona this season, but not the one presented at La Cerámica with an inexplicable freshness. Nor did he flinch. And six minutes later he went back on the scoreboard thanks to a goal from Luis Suárez that culminated a great move by Messi with luxury assistance. And before the goal, both the Uruguayan and Piqué were able to score.

Calleja's men had no options except against them, and so a shot by Bacca arrived, which came out half an hour later to replace the injured Alcácer, who successfully deflected Ter Stegen. The azulgrana gale caused that both Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal stood alone against Asenjo for the 1-3, but they could not beat the local goal. Who did it was Griezmann with a great vaseline after Messi left. French goal to end many phobias about his performance. It came with 1-3 at half-time, but if the score reflected a 1-6 it should not surprise anyone. Barcelona needed a match like that. Late, but necessary.

Villarreal made two sudden changes at halftime. Moi Gómez and Bruno came out for Iborra and Gerard Moreno. He gave more consistency to the midfield trying that Barcelona did not touch the ball so easily, but lost strength in attack. The game started with Alcácer and Gerard Moreno on top and the second half with Bacca alone. The only thing that caused the changes was that Barcelona had fewer holes, but only that. Barca's dominance was beastly against a Villarreal already delivered. Luis Suárez had the fourth in a play that ended with a shot to the side of the net. Calleja retired a tired Cazorla in a clear statement of intent: there are four more games left and the schedule is not easy.

Setién also moved bench and removed Rakitic and Riqui Puig for Semedo and Luis Suárez so Sergi Roberto passed to the right side. The pace of the game was far from that of the first half, but control was still on the Catalan side. Arturo Vidal was close to 1-4 while Villarreal was unable to pass the middle of the field. In the absence of 20 minutes, the VAR annulled a goal by Messi for Arturo Vidal's previous offside in a move that reflected what the match was on the field. Four Barcelona players making a rondo to eight Villarreal without these could take the ball .

All the fish seemed already sold in the final stretch, more changes were made to give some rest to important men like Busquets and Piqué but Ansu Fati had not said his last word and scored 1-4 after a good action by the band that ended with a right hand that surprised Asenjo. Messi added a free kick to the crossbar and Asenjo saved Braithwaite's later shot. Villarreal's first defeat on the return leg against the best Barça of the season. A little late, but Barça is back.