Young star Lamine Yamal gave Hansi Flick a perfect anniversary game at FC Barcelona. In his 100th game as coach of the Spanish champions, Flick celebrated a 4-1 (2-0) win against Villarreal FC. The outstanding Spanish European champion Lamine Yamal was the decisive man with three goals (28th, 38th, 70th).
With the win, the league leaders extended their lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid to four points. The Spanish record champions can move closer again with a win on Monday evening against Getafe FC.
The offensively strong Catalans also raised their fans’ faint hopes of a football miracle in the upcoming cup second leg against Atletico on Tuesday. Barca also need at least four goals there after their 4-0 defeat in the first leg.
Fermin Lopez took over the direction of the attacking midfield in the absence of the injured Frenkie de Jong – and also scored the opening goal with a clever through ball. Yamal was through and gave Villarreal keeper Junior Reis no chance. The second goal belonged entirely to Barca’s young star: Yamal received the ball in his favorite position on the right corner of the penalty area, danced past two defenders in a small space and then chased the ball into the top corner.
Shortly before the break, Yamal almost struck again from an almost identical position, after a fine one-two with Jules Kounde, but this time the ball turned just over the goal.
Four minutes after the restart, Villarreal surprisingly scored, Pape Gueye taking advantage of a confusing situation after a corner.
Keeper Garcia drops out, Pedri with Magic templates
Another inattention on the part of the Catalans would have brought the “Submarinos” almost completely back into the game: Barca keeper Joan Garcia had the ball taken away during an excursion, and Ayoze Perez failed to put the ball in the empty box.
Flick reacted, brought on Pedri, who immediately took over the leadership role in midfield and got Barca back on track. Pedri also initiated the preliminary decision with a strong assist to Yamal: Yamal shook off another defender and scored his third goal from a tight angle.
In the third minute of stoppage time it was Pedri again who sent a magical pass into the penalty area to Koundé, the Frenchman passed it again to Robert Lewandowski, making the final score 4-1.
