Barça and Villarreal face each other this Sunday at 7:00 PM, a match corresponding to matchday 37 of the EA Sports League. Flick's team are already champions after defeating Espanyol, while Marcelino's team are still immersed in the fight for the Champions League. The match can be watched on Movistar LaLiga and the minute-by-minute through our social media @carpetasblaugranas.
José Luis Munuera Montero will be the main referee and in the VAR he will be accompanied by referee Javier Alberola Rojas. This season he has officiated Barça twice; both ended with victory for Flick's team (3:1 vs Espanyol and 1:0 vs Alavés). He has refereed the Yellow Submarine up to three times, with a record of 2 wins and a draw for Marcelino's team.
How Barça arrives
The Catalan team has been celebrating for several days; winning the League and the subsequent parade have left this match in the background. This celebration had many unforgettable moments: Szczesny smoking, the falls of Araujo and Íñigo, or the shark plush representing the good Ferrán. Flick took several photos, as well as recorded several videos of the fans at different points of a parade he will not forget.
The German coach commented in a press conference that he feels very proud of the "family" atmosphere that is felt in the locker room. He has made it clear that there will be changes, but that "if they can go out partying, they can also work, there are no excuses." He acknowledges that he doesn't want to lose, he desires to end the season in their stadium as it started, winning.
Regarding the line-up, it is most logical that we will see a great revolution compared to the team that won this Thursday in Cornellà. Footballers like Ansu Fati, Pau Víctor, or Pablo Torre could be starters in the attack zone; the one who could repeat is Lewandowski. At the back, it is very likely that Héctor Fort will play again, Iñaki Peña could return to the line-up, and in the midfield, we could see Gavi.
How Villarreal arrives
Marcelino's team is fighting for that last spot that gives access to the top European competition. The victory against Leganés brings them much closer to their goal, as they are 5 points ahead of Betis with only 6 left to play. There are two players who, if they see a yellow card, would miss the last League match: Foyth and Alex Baena.
Marcelino has congratulated Flick and his team for the season, acknowledging that they are "deserved champions" after the game they have displayed this year. He also took the opportunity to confirm that his team will form a guard of honor for the opponent as a sign of respect. Finally, he believes it will be a difficult match, but the fact that they have been celebrating the title gives them some more chances.
As for the line-up, many of the players who won last Wednesday will repeat. One of the doubts may be in the full-backs, where Sergio Cardona is expected to return to the XI and Kamwala to replace Pau Navarro. The Spanish coach has confirmed that Barry and Kiko Femenia may enter the squad, but it will depend on the feelings they have in the last training session.
Match keys
Baena, the leader of the submarine: the Spanish attacking midfielder has emerged as the leader of the Yellow team. Currently, he has 4 goals and a total of 12 assists, being one of the best passers in the League. If he were to see a yellow card, he would miss the last match, and with all the rumors linking his future with Atleti, it could be his last match as a "groguet".
3 goals away from 100: one of the few motivations that this Barça may have left is to reach a hundred goals. It should be noted that if they achieve it, it would be the seventh time it has been achieved in Barça's history; the last time was in 16/17. However, they are far from the goal record achieved that same year, a total of 116 goals in just one season.
Farewell to Montjuïc? It is expected that next season Barça will inaugurate the new Spotify Camp Nou. While it is true that the first match to be played in that stadium is expected to be in September, Montjuïc is experiencing its last matches as a culé stadium. Great nights have been lived there, especially in this year's Champions, bidding farewell with the celebration of 3 titles.
