Barcelona quickly bounced back from their first defeat of the season against Monaco, maintaining their perfect start to the La Liga campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory over Villarreal at Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday. The match, though high-scoring, was much more competitive than the final score suggests, featuring a serious injury to Barça goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The Catalans demonstrated resilience through challenging moments and showcased their quality by finding the goals needed to secure all three points, keeping them at the top of the table with six wins from six matches.
**FIRST HALF**
Hansi Flick surprised many with a significant number of changes to his starting lineup following the quick turnaround from the Monaco match, and the rotated squad initially struggled as Villarreal took control in the opening minutes.
The home side made an aggressive start, pressing high and looking to exploit gaps in Barça's defense. They nearly opened the scoring when Yeremi Pino had a goal disallowed for offside just eight minutes in.
After a shaky beginning, Barça regained composure and began to assert themselves, with Pablo Torre and Pedri finding space in midfield and Lamine Yamal proving to be a constant threat on the right wing.
In a whirlwind 40 seconds, Barça created three massive chances: Yamal struck the post, Raphinha had a shot blocked on the goal line, and Pedri narrowly missed the target. Shortly after this flurry, they took the lead when Pablo Torre delivered a brilliant through ball to Robert Lewandowski, who skillfully flicked it past the keeper to put Barça ahead.
### Barcelona Player Ratings vs Villarreal
**Robert Lewandowski**: 9/10
The Polish striker delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice and firmly laying down the Pichichi challenge to Kylian Mbappe. His movement and finishing were exceptional, showcasing his elite striker instincts.
**Raphinha**: 8/10
The Brazilian winger was electric, creating numerous chances and adding a goal to his tally. His pace and creativity kept the Villarreal defense on high alert throughout the match.
**Lamine Yamal**: 8.5/10
The young sensation continued to impress with his skill and confidence. He was a constant threat on the flank, contributing with both assists and a goal, proving he belongs on this stage.
**Marc-André ter Stegen**: 5/10
Unfortunately, the goalkeeper's night took a turn for the worse as he suffered a concerning injury. Before that, he was solid, but this overshadowed an otherwise dominant performance from the team.
**Defensive Line**: 7/10
The defense held firm against Villarreal's attacks, with key interceptions and clearances. However, they’ll need to remain vigilant as the season progresses.
Overall, it was a dominant display from Barcelona, but the injury to ter Stegen left a cloud over the impressive victory at El Madrigal.
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