Some time ago, Barcelona lost 3-5 when they hosted Villarreal. Xavi Hernandez’s team experienced this bitter defeat in week 22 of La Liga 2023/2024.
Before being defeated by Villarreal at home, Barcelona also achieved a number of minor results in two other competitions. In the Supercopa de Espana, Barcelona was defeated by Real Madrid in the final. In the Copa del Rey, they were eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals.
After losing to Villarreal, Xavi made a surprising statement. The former Barcelona midfielder has decided to step down from the position of Blaugrana coach at the end of the 2023/2024 season.
Interestingly, after this announcement, Barcelona actually performed well, both in the Champions League and La Liga. They are unbeaten in ten matches, namely seven wins and three draws.
Barcelona Qualifies for the Quarter Finals of the Champions League
Barcelona’s ten matches, two of which are away and home against Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Barcelona achieved a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Napoli headquarters, then won 3-1 in the second leg at home. Goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski got Barcelona through.
Barcelona won 4-2 on aggregate. Barcelona was then drawn to meet PSG in the quarter-finals. PSG is the team currently coached by Luis Enrique, former Barcelona architect for the 2014-2017 period.
Barcelona tarnishes Atletico’s headquarters, overtakes Girona in La Liga
In La Liga, Barcelona won over Osasuna and Alaves, drew with Granada, won over Celta Vigo and Getafe, drew with Bilbao, then won over Mallorca and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona even achieved victory over Atletico Madrid at home to their opponents. Barcelona won 3-0 thanks to goals from Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez.
For Atletico, the defeat against Barcelona was their first home defeat in La Liga this season.
Preceded by Girona’s defeat to Getafe, Barcelona also rose to second place in the La Liga standings. Xavi’s men now have 64 points, two points ahead of Girona, and eight points behind Real Madrid who are in the top position.
Next, after the International Break: Barcelona vs Las Palmas
Barcelona’s next match, after the international break, is at home in La Liga. Barcelona will serve Las Palmas (31/3/2024).
In the previous meeting at home to Las Palmas, Barcelona won 2-1. Having been left behind by Munir El Haddadi’s goal in the 12th minute, Barcelona turned around to win through Ferran Torres’ goal in the 55th minute and Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty in the 90+2 minute.
