MX23RW : Wednesday, July 3 17:09:01| >> :60:263:263:
[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: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
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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!