Barcelona

Recent setbacks against Real Madrid and Inter Milan didn't damper Xavi Hernandez's side in a convincing win over Villarreal.

[Arnaut Danjuma](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/231618/arnaut-danjuma) looked the most out of place. Then back to Champions League action as Lewandowski returns to [Bayern Munich](/soccer/team?id=132) for the first time since leaving this summer. Lewandowski won the Gerd Muller award for the best striker of the year. [Internazionale](/soccer/team?id=110) on Oct. [Poland](/soccer/team?id=471) striker increased the lead four minutes later with a precise curling shot from the edge of the box to finish off a counter-attack after [Pedri](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/250465/Pedri) stole the ball from an opponent close to the centre circle. It was his third league goal of the season, which is the same amount Dembele and Raphinha have managed combined -- and in much more game time. However, after a disappointing week, he turned to young Spanish forwards Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, who had combined for the consolation goal off the bench against Madrid at the weekend. The touch and spin for his first goal were bettered by the finish for his second just four minutes later. Robert Lewandowski scored the first two to take his tally for the campaign to 16. 12 left them on the verge of Champions League elimination, [followed by an disheartening loss](/soccer/spanish-laliga/story/4773210/real-madrid-are-a-better-teambut-barcelona-are-improving) in the Clasico to Real Madrid on Sunday. [Highlights and notable moments](#highlights) [Best/worst performers](#bestworst)

Robert Lewandowski has put an end to Barcelona's crisis. Against Villarreal, he prevented doubts from growing and fears about the team from increasing.

In total, he has celebrated 16, five in the Champions League. He also bagged against Real Sociedad, Valladolid and Elche twice. He did not stop exchanging words with Pedri and even, in some actions, also positions. Against Villarreal, he prevented doubts from growing and fears about the team from increasing. The coach opted for a new trident: Ferran Torres, who played on the right wing; Lewandowski, center forward; and Ansu Fati out left. Xavi Hernandez rotated the team.

The Portuguese international was linked with a move away from Wolves ahead of the 2022/23 season with La Blaugrana eyeing a deal as part of their plan to ...

[despite his denial of links with a switch to the MLS](https://www.football-espana.net/2022/09/23/sergio-busquets-rejects-barcelona-exit-talk-as-false). [Wolves ](https://www.caughtoffside.com/tags/premier-league/wolverhampton-wanderers/)ahead of the 2022/23 season with La Blaugrana eyeing a deal as part of their plan to replace [Sergio Busquets](https://www.football-espana.net/tag/sergio-busquets) in the Camp Nou. [Barcelona](https://www.football-espana.net/category/la-liga/barcelona) have reportedly been offered the chance to sign [Ruben Neves](https://www.football-espana.net/tag/ruben-neves) in 2023.

Barcelona headed into Thursday's match under a cloud after poor results against Inter and Real Madrid that had left Xavi openly admitting before the match ...

We have a great group, one of the best I have seen in my career.” Thursday’s outing was just his fourth La Liga appearance of the season and there may not be too many more this campaign once Barca’s defensive injuries clear up. “He really enjoyed the game, he understood it very well and he played a very complete game. Xavi opted for Marco Alonso alongside Kounde against Villarreal, ensuring Pique was on the bench again. Dembele and Raphinha have the same number combined in over 1000 minutes of playing time. The forward’s been heavily criticized by fans but showed against Villarreal he does offer something different on the right flank. Xavi called him “insatiable” after the game and his desire seems undimmed even at the age of 34. It’s been a tough few months for Frenkie but the supporters made their feelings crystal clear. That’s now 16 in all competitions for Barca from the Poland international and 11 in 10 La Liga games. The victory will also ease the pressure Xavi was starting to come under. Lewandowski will likely steal the headlines once again but Frenkie de Jong deserves huge credit for his performance. Striker Robert Lewandowski was once again crucial to the victory.

Barcelona licked the wounds from a tough El Clasico defeat by demolishing Villarreal 3-0 in La Liga on Wednesday evening.

He only needed a few more minutes after the first went in to grab his second, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and curling it into the back of the net beautifully. Camp Nou was in full voice, and understandably so considering the performance they were treated to. Chances were coming and they finally drew first blood after half an hour when who else than Robert Lewandowski finished off a brilliant sequence involving Pedri and Jordi Alba.

Ruben Neves has responded to reports suggesting that he is a transfer target for La Liga heavyweights by saying: “Who wouldn't want to try Barcelona?”

I have to focus as much as I can on Wolves. The Portugal international midfielder is currently tied to Premier League outfit Wolves and continues to catch the eye in English football. It has been suggested for some time now that the 25-year-old is a player registering on recruitment radars at Camp Nou, with Neves

Valverde was fired by Barcelona in January 2020 despite having won two consecutive league titles and with the team top of the standings.

It sits sixth in the Spanish league following a 2-2 draw at Getafe. The club took the decision to let him go after a 3-2 loss to Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. “(Lewandowski) is insatiable,” Xavi said after his striker struck twice in a 3-0 win over Villarreal on Thursday. Bilbao, which only has players from the Basque regions of northern Spain and southwest France, has only two losses in 10 games this season. Valverde was fired by Barcelona in January 2020 despite having won two consecutive league titles and with the team top of the standings. Quiqué Setién, the former Real Betis coach who replaced Valverde, lasted a few months.

Ernesto Valverde will make his first return to Camp Nou on Sunday in charge of Athletic Bilbao for its Spanish league...

It sits sixth in the Spanish league following a 2-2 draw at Getafe. The club took the decision to let him go after a 3-2 loss to Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. “(Lewandowski) is insatiable,” Xavi said after his striker struck twice in a 3-0 win over Villarreal on Thursday. Bilbao, which only has players from the Basque regions of northern Spain and southwest France, has only two losses in 10 games this season. Valverde was fired by Barcelona in January 2020 despite having won two consecutive league titles and with the team top of the standings. Quiqué Setién, the former Real Betis coach who replaced Valverde, lasted a few months.

Barcelona welcome Villarreal to the Camp Nou on Thursday evening in La Liga with Xavi Hernandez's men aiming to bounce back from a disappointing last week.

You can watch La Liga live on the go with your iPhone, iPad or Android device through your bet365 account. [11/2 (6.50)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) with the draw offered at [7/2 (4.50)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807). [11/2 (6.50)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) with Ferran Torres on offer at [7/1 (8.00)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807). [7/10 (1.70)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) while combining this with over 2.5 goals gives increased odds of [evens (2.00)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807). [15/2 (8.50)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807). [9/20 (1.45)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807).

Barcelona will look to put their El Clasico woes behind them when they host Villarreal for Thursday night's La Liga encounter at Camp Nou.

[BUY FIFA 23 NOW](https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23) The Yellow Submarine have been in good form lately and find themselves 7th in La Liga table. Which is the best continental European league?

End of an era! Barcelona want Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto to LEAVE the club next summer with the Spanish giants desperate to ...

They have already identified Pique, Busquets, Alba and Roberto as four senior players that they want to move on due to their significant salaries. [Barcelona](/sport/teampages/barcelona.html) are reportedly ready to bid farewell to [Gerard Pique](/sport/gerard-pique/index.html), [Sergio Busquets](/sport/sergio-busquets/index.html), Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto next summer as they look to balance their books. Barcelona want Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto to LEAVE the club next summer with the Spanish giants desperate to offload the massive salaries that are hindering them in the transfer market

Ruben Neves has responded to reports suggesting that he is a transfer target for La Liga heavyweights by saying: “Who wouldn't want to try Barcelona?”

I have to focus as much as I can on Wolves. The Portugal international midfielder is currently tied to Premier League outfit Wolves and continues to catch the eye in English football. It has been suggested for some time now that the 25-year-old is a player registering on recruitment radars at Camp Nou, with Neves

"Gavi is the Golden Boy... FC Barcelona has another Golden Boy. In a week in which he already won the Kopa Trophy, Gavi's status as the best young footballer in ...

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. "Gavi is the Golden Boy... FC Barcelona has another Golden Boy.

Ruben Neves has responded to reports suggesting that he is a transfer target for La Liga heavyweights by saying: “Who wouldn't want to try Barcelona?”

I have to focus as much as I can on Wolves. The Portugal international midfielder is currently tied to Premier League outfit Wolves and continues to catch the eye in English football. It has been suggested for some time now that the 25-year-old is a player registering on recruitment radars at Camp Nou, with Neves

FC Barcelona's four captains might not be back next season with the team, according to an ESPN report that cites the alleged desires of the team's brass.

- Barcelona.