League leaders Barcelona travel to take on Villarreal, a team that Camp Nou coach Pep Guardiola admitted, after their corresponding fixture in November, employ a philosophy as close to his own as anyone he has faced during his three-season tenure.
High praise indeed, but completely justified given the adventurous offensive play of Juan Carlos Garrido’s Yellow Submarines since the former ‘B’ team boss took the reins in February 2010. He has adapted a relatively compact squad to compete both domestically and in the Europa League, and given the fixtures remaining, Barca couldn’t have asked for a more difficult encounter after international week, and with the Champions League in close proximity.
The champions have triumphed on just five of the last 13 league meetings that came after an international break, and with Shakhtar Donetsk visiting Catalunya on Wednesday, Garrido’s side represent a significant challenge in more ways than one.
Firstly, unspecified knee problems continue to hamper Carles Puyol, and the influential captain has now been absent for five weeks of action, with no confirmed date of recovery on the horizon. Lionel Messi collected a hamstring injury on duty with Argentina, and while the world’s best player is expected to recover and take his place in attack, he may not be at full capacity. Maestro Xavi is suspended, an instant weakness, while the unfortunate tragedy that befell Eric Abidal has robbed Guardiola of another alternative in a squad feeling the strain.
Against the majority of opposition, Barca could cope. Villarreal, however, are the true success story of the current campaign. They continue to defy status and the significantly superior financial clout of their rivals by proving themselves to be a consistently formidable outfit.
The provincial club have amassed a revered starting eleven, among which are candidates for the finest performers the Primera Division has had to offer in 2010-11, outwith the dominance of the big two.
Giuseppe Rossi needed a prolific season to assuage those that felt he had peaked as a player; the Italian has been ruthless in front of goal and shown awareness and vision that has become a highlight of Villarreal’s attacking play. 26 goals in all competitions, including 15 in the league have been a major contributory factor in the overall success of the side. The former Manchester United man recently signed a contract extension, and appears happy to play his football in yellow, despite major interest from numerous suitors.
Alongside him, Nilmar has produced moments of genuine quality, and after his difficult debut campaign, has offered regular examples of the finishing prowess that many believed the Brazilian had held in reserve. The record €11m signing, by his own admission, struggled during his first year in Spain, but has recovered from knee surgery at Christmas to reconvene with partner Rossi and return to the goal trail, netting a healthy 15 times.
The strikers are scoring, but it is arguably in the midfield area that the Submarines hold true depth of quality. Santi Cazorla must have had a bittersweet reaction to Spain’s World Cup win, given the effort he had exerted in helping La Furia Roja reach the finals, only to miss out due to a continuing back injury. This season, the gifted passer is very much back with a vengeance, and his performances represent everything positive about this Villarreal team; probing, creative, and cunning.
Alongside him, Borja Valero is yet another product of the Real Madrid youth system that has flourished outside the Santiago Bernabeu environment. After an ill-fated spell in England with West Bromwich Albion and a fruitful year on loan at Mallorca in 2009-10, Valero’s shaven head has drifted majestically across every pitch in Spain, leaving defenses split in his wake. Indeed, the 25-year-old’s displays have been sufficiently eye-catching that national team coach Vicente del Bosque gave him a call, while both Barcelona and former club Madrid have been tenuously linked with a major transfer offer in the summer.
Winger Cani, keeper Diego Lopez, Euro 2008 veteran Carlos Marchena and compatriot Joan Capdevila have proven to be equally consistent, contributing to the club’s third place in La Liga, as well as their last-eight slot in the Europa League. Throw into the mix the fact that Villarreal have only lost one match this season on home soil – to Levante in February – and the magnitude of the task facing Barcelona is very apparent.
Put simply, Guardiola’s side do not have to be at their best to win the majority of domestic fixtures. This match represents an absolute exception. Given the injuries, the form, and also with Real Madrid expected to collect an easy win at home to Sporting, Barca could well be content to collect a point and head into the Champions League crunch with Shakhtar relatively unscathed.
Go here to see the original:
Rossi, Nilmar, Valero, Cazorla: Villarreal’s Talented Team Can Stun Barcelona Ahead Of CL Crunch Against Shakhtar