TSN is your home for La Liga and this weekend’s action is headlined by Canada’s Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi and the rest of Villarreal paying a visit to leaders Barcelona at Camp Nou.
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Barcelona vs. Villarreal, Saturday at 9:45 a.m. ET/6:45 a.m. PT on TSN+
At no point this season has anybody at Villarreal indicated that the club is in a title race. Whether the Yellow Submarine is or not is a matter of opinion, but here are the facts: Marcelino’s side travels to Camp Nou on Saturday to take on leaders Barcelona. A win would see Villarreal move within seven points of the La Liga lead with 12 matches remaining.
Of course, that deficit could change to nine points should second-place Real Madrid defeat Getafe on Monday, but a win over Barcelona would put Villarreal, at the very least, in shouting distance of the title picture. A loss and even sniffing the title race becomes a pipe dream. So it’s safe to say that Saturday’s match is one of consequence.
Heading into the fixture, Marcelino says his team requires a big effort because the results haven’t been there this season when it comes to going up against big clubs. Against Barca, Real and Atletico, Villarreal is 0-3 and has been outscored 6-0. The reverse fixture at La Ceramica saw the Blaugrana claim a 2-0 win on goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
Then there was the matter of the Yellow Submarine’s Champions League campaign. It ended without a single victory and included losses against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax. Marcelino’s concern is justified.
“We can only win if we give our maximum and also have that touch of luck you need to beat the big teams,” the gaffer said on Friday. “So far this season, we haven’t had it. There have been situations that have not gone our way.”
The other issue facing Villarreal is that Camp Nou has been a fortress for Hansi Flick’s side this season. Barca is 12-0 at home in La Liga and 15-1 in all competitions. Their loan blemish was a 2-1 loss in the Champions League to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
“They are a great team that has won all 12 of the matches they have played at home,” Marcelino said. “On top of that, they average three goals per game. We go into the match excited and eager to break that very favourable streak.”
In the other dugout, Flick is set to reach a milestone. Saturday’s match will be his 100th in charge of Barca. The former Bayern Munich midfielder and manager sees it as a big accomplishment.
“It’s a great honour,” Flick said at his Friday press conference. “Coaching this club was a dream for me and I’m enjoying every day with these players and with Barca.”
With the title race looking likely to come down to the final matchdays of the season, Flick says that every point is precious.
“Every win means one fewer chance for our rivals to catch us,” Flick said. “We have to keep working well and keep winning … We’re concentrating on what we can do better. There’s still room to grow.”
Knowing the calibre of opponent on the other side of the pitch, Marcelino says there is little margin for error. Villarreal knows what it’s like to make mistakes against Barca. During the 2-0 loss in December, they were plentiful. Not only did Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe spurn glorious chances in the early going, Santi Comesana gave away a penalty, which was converted by Raphinha, by knocking over the Brazil winger in the 12th minute. Then any chance of a comeback for the Yellow Submarine was snuffed out in the 39th when Renato Veiga saw a straight red for a harsh tackle on Yamal.
“If we perform at our best, we will have more than one chance,” Marcelino said. “But that’s not enough. We must be strong in both penalty areas, and in the first match we weren’t. We have to defend very well in our own half and know how to play those fast actions, attacking the space and finishing our moves. We also need to avoid borderline situations or mistakes. It’s a match in which we have a lot to gain and nothing to lose, and that’s how we approach it.”
Villarreal has had recent success at Camp Nou. The Yellow Submarine were 3-2 winners in the fixture last season. Buchanan notched the deciding goal in the 80th minute.
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More La Liga action on TSN
– Rayo Vallecano vs. Athletic Club, Saturday at 7:45 a.m. ET/4:45 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Mallorca vs. Real Sociedad, Saturday at 12:15 p.m. ET/9:15 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Oviedo vs. Atletico, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Elche vs. Espanyol, Sunday at 7:45 a.m. ET/4:45 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Valencia vs. Osasuna, Sunday at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Betis vs. Sevilla, Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET/9:15 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Girona vs. Celta, Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT on TSN+
– Real Madrid vs. Getafe, Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT on TSN2/TSN+
