Matchday 22 of LaLiga is history, as the weekend’s games were full of emotions and surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fight for the top of the table continues, but this time, we have that Real Madrid can storm the first place if they win their encounter this Thursday against Getafe. Let’s remember that this game corresponds to matchday 20 but was not played due to the commitments of the ‘Merengues’ in the Supercopa de Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Atleti recovered and climbed to third place, while Bar\u00e7a showed many problems at home and lost terribly against Villarreal 3-5. That prompted Xavi Hernandez to announce his departure at the end of the 2023\/24 season, come what may.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that, from now on, the teams will be playing for their lives in every game to try to be as high as possible in the table and meet their season objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When and Where?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturday, January 27th, 12:30 pm ET at the Estadi Ol\u00edmpic Llu\u00eds Companys<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moneyline odds: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Barcelona 1.36 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Villarreal 8.70<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Draw Offs: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.22<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Where can I watch it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n DSports <\/a>and Movistar Deportes<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Barcelona received Villarreal last Saturday, January 27, at the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic, and what was thought would be a quiet cul\u00e9 party, ended up being a nightmare. After coming from behind on one occasion and taking a 3-2 lead, Villarreal took advantage of several mistakes in the Bar\u00e7a backline to take a convincing 5-3 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The match was back and forth, there is no doubt about that. Bar\u00e7a went on the attack from the very start of the game and even had 22 chances to score with ten direct shots on goal. However, the effectiveness of the Yellow Submarine was much better, as out of six shots on goal, five ended up inside Barcelona’s goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gerard Moreno gave Villarreal the lead in the 41st minute with an excellent goal. Then, at the start of the second half, Ilias Akhomach (’54) made it 2-0, leaving the ‘Blaugranas’ on the ropes. However, Barcelona woke up and managed to level the score thanks to goals from G\u00fcndogan and Pedri in the 60th and 68th minutes, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bar\u00e7a’s siege on Villarreal’s goal continued, and this led to Eric Bailly’s own goal in the 71st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we all imagined a 3-2 cul\u00e9 victory, Villarreal gave a blow on the table to equalize the scoreboard to 3-3 in the 84th minute with a goal by Gon\u00e7alo Guedes. Finally, after one of the longest stoppages of the season, Villarreal sealed the game with goals in the 90+9th and 90+12th minutes by Alexander Sorloth and Jos\u00e9 Luis Morales, to give the locals one of the season’s biggest upsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n