MX23RW : Friday, December 13 01:30:32| >> :120:25839:25839:
[monks data]
Attendance: 73,003
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 14
Dec 2, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
Villarreal logo

2-0

Pique (36'), Alena (87')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ernesto Valverde claims Villarreal clash is 'fundamental' to Barcelona

Ernesto Valverde claims Villarreal clash is 'fundamental' to Barcelona
© Reuters
Barca are currently second in the table, one point behind leaders Sevilla.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said the upcoming match against Villarreal at the Nou Camp is "fundamental" as his side look to retake top spot in LaLiga.

Barcelona, who are without a league win in two games, are currently second in the table, one point behind leaders Sevilla, despite having scored more goals and lost fewer games than the top-placed team.

Valverde told the club's website: "We expect Villarreal to put pressure on us. They will battle for possession. They will want to leave Camp Nou with some points. This match is fundamental for us."

He added: "Last season they created problems for us in circulating the ball, and now they have forwards who could complicate things in transition."

In terms of injuries, the boss gave little away on the current situation of Arthur Melo, saying: "If he's on the squad list he's there to play, otherwise he won't be there.

"We think we'll continue getting players back. The injuries we're having is something that happens throughout a season and which we have to overcome."

Barcelona's opponents on Saturday are currently battling relegation, sitting just one place above the bottom three, and with only three more points than the sides in the relegation places.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '75378c90-a1b1-4a62-bb51-6e7bd9b3dbb2');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Ernesto Valverde claims Villarreal clash is \u2018fundamental\u2019 to Barcelona'});

ID:343076: cacheID:343076:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3479:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Pablo Fornals in action for Villarreal in the Europa League on October 25, 2018
Read Next:
Barcelona 'eye Pablo Fornals swoop'
>
Read more about Ernesto Valverde Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!