Lewandowski double as Barcelona ease past Villarreal

Published October 22, 2022
BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (third R) scores during the La Liga match against Villarreal at the Nou Camp.—Reuters
BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (third R) scores during the La Liga match against Villarreal at the Nou Camp.—Reuters

BARCELONA: Barcelona bounced back from their painful Clasico loss in style as they cruised to a 3-0 home LaLiga win over Villarreal with a brace from Robert Lewandowski on Thursday.

Barcelona remained second in the standings on 25 points, three behind Real Madrid and three clear of third-placed Real Sociedad.

Manager Xavi Hernandez said he was going to shake things up and he kept his word, making five changes to the team completely outclassed in their 3-1 loss at Real Madrid on Sunday.

That was another major blow to Xavi and his team who are on the verge of Champions League elimination after a 3-3 home draw with Inter Milan last week.

“The changes are not to point fingers at anybody,” Xavi told a news conference. “On Sunday [against Athletic Bilbao] I will make more changes. I want all players to be ready and 100% for when the opportunity comes.

“We need intensity and will. We need to react quickly after two bad results and I think we made a great game tonight.”

Teenager Ansu Fati shone for Barca on Thursday as he created three great early chances before Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 31st minute.

The Polish striker controlled the ball brilliantly from a low cross by Jordi Alba and shook off two defenders with a subtle touch before swivelling to finish with a powerful shot.

Barcelona scored three times in seven minutes as the Polish striker increased the lead with a precise curling shot from the edge of the box to finish off a counter-attack after Pedri stole the ball close to the centre circle.

Lewandowski has scored 11 goals in 10 LaLiga matches for Barca this season and is the league’s top scorer, four goals ahead of his nearest rival.

Fati, 19, scored Barca’s third three minutes later, placing a close-range shot into the empty net from a low cross by Ferran Torres.

With the points secured, Barca took their foot off the gas after the break but comfortably held on to their lead.

Elsewhere Almeria edged Girona 3-2 in a thrilling clash, while Osasuna won for the first time in four, beating Espanyol 1-0 at home to go seventh.

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....
Time to deliver
Updated 11 Nov, 2024

Time to deliver

Pakistan must display a serious commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation at home.
Smaller government
11 Nov, 2024

Smaller government

THE IMF bailout programme has put the government under pressure to curtail its spending, especially current...
Unsafe inheritance
11 Nov, 2024

Unsafe inheritance

DESPITE regulations, the troubling practice of robbing women of their rightful inheritance — the culprits are ...