Barcelona regained the top spot in La Liga last weekend and now looks to increase their lead with a match against third-placed Villarreal on Saturday. The Catalan club secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Levante, while rivals Real Madrid suffered an unexpected loss at Osasuna, allowing Barcelona to reclaim a one-point advantage. This result serves as a timely response to earlier setbacks, including their Copa del Rey defeat to Atlético Madrid and the disappointment against Girona.
The return of key playmaker Pedri adds to Barcelona’s optimism. Pedri made his comeback last weekend after a month-long injury layoff, contributing to the team’s success against Levante. With an additional week of training, he is likely to return to the starting lineup, providing much-needed creativity and control in midfield. Unfortunately, his return coincides with the loss of Frenkie de Jong, who will be sidelined for around six weeks due to injury, marking a challenging situation for the squad.
In addition to Pedri, Marcus Rashford was included on the matchday squad against Levante, though he did not play. The morale in the squad has been boosted further by Gavi’s return to training, although he is expected to be gradually reintegrated into action and will not feature against Villarreal.
Currently, the injury list includes Andreas Christensen and Jofre Torrents, with Gerard Martín ruled out due to suspension.
Looking ahead to the anticipated clash with Villarreal, Barcelona is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Joan García will once again start in goal, supported by a backline that includes Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, and Eric García, with João Cancelo at left back. With De Jong absent, Marc Casadó may step into a defensive midfield role alongside Pedri. The attacking front will feature Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha, and star striker Robert Lewandowski—who needs a strong performance to maintain his starting spot against growing competition from Ferran Torres.
As Barcelona prepares to face Villarreal, fans and players alike will look to build on the positive momentum from last week’s win and strengthen their position at the top of La Liga. The excitement in Camp Nou is palpable as the team aims to deliver an inspiring performance in front of their supporters.