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Villarreal logo
La Liga | Gameweek 21
Feb 12, 2023 at 8pm UK
Estadio de la Cerámica
Barcelona logo

Villarreal
0 - 1
Barcelona


Torres (37'), Baena (49'), Parejo (62'), Moreno (71')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Pedri (18')
Araujo (43'), de Jong (56'), Kounde (58'), Raphinha (81')

Barcelona missing two players for Villarreal contest

Barcelona missing two players for Villarreal contest
© Reuters
Barcelona will be missing Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets for Sunday night's La Liga contest with Villarreal.

Barcelona boss Xavi has named his squad for Sunday's La Liga contest against Villarreal, with Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembele, as expected, the only absentees.

Busquets is facing a spell on the sidelines with the ankle injury that he picked up in the team's 3-0 victory over Sevilla in La Liga last weekend.

Dembele, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring problem at the end of January, and the France international is not expected to be back on the field until the middle of next month.

A timeframe for Busquets has not been set, although it is believed that the experienced midfielder will be missing for the remainder of the month.

Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele on January 8, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona otherwise have a full squad available for this match, while there is another spot in the selection for teenage forward Angel Alarcon.

During his pre-match press conference, the Catalan club's head coach Xavi picked out Yellow Submarine duo Dani Parejo and Pepe Reina when discussing Villarreal's threat this weekend.

"Villarreal are a great team with a philosophy very similar to ours. Parejo is an extraordinary player and Pepe Reina is very good with his feet," he told reporters.

Xavi also insisted that he is not prioritising La Liga over the Europa League, as Barcelona prepare to welcome Manchester United for the first leg of their knockout round playoff next Thursday.

FC Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on January 8, 2023© Reuters

"I don't prioritise La Liga over the Europa League. We want to win every game and we give the same importance to all competitions," the head coach added.

Xavi, meanwhile, refused to give any indication of his formation on Sunday evening, with the Spaniard needing to bring in a replacement for the injured Busquets.

"I never explain the team's ideas in advance but we will decide tomorrow. Busquets's loss is important, we will miss him especially when it's time to pause," said the Spaniard.

Barcelona will be bidding to make it 11 straight wins in all competitions on Sunday night.

Barcelona squad vs. Villarreal:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Roberto, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Pedri, Kessie, F de Jong, Torre; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Alarcon

ID:506474:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3800:No Data Analysis info

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How you voted: Villarreal vs Barcelona

Villarreal
10.6%
Draw
10.1%
Barcelona
79.3%
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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