Barcelona Faces Villarreal in Final Montjuïc Match

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona will host Villarreal this Sunday, May 18, in a crucial LaLiga match at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. With the championship already secured, Barcelona aims for a strong send-off in their final match at Montjuïc.

The ‘Yellow Submarine’ comes into the match needing a victory to secure their spot in the upcoming Champions League. Villarreal is currently fifth in the table with 64 points and has won their last four matches against Espanyol, Girona, Osasuna, and Leganés.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick plans to adjust his lineup despite missing key players like Marc Bernal, Jules Koundé, and Ferran Torres due to injuries. The expected starting lineup includes Marc-André ter Stegen as goalkeeper and Robert Lewandowski leading the attack.

“The absences are significant, but we trust in our squad’s quality to aim for the win,” Flick said. “It’s important for us to perform well, especially for our fans.”

On the other hand, Villarreal will field their strongest lineup. Coach Marcelino García has players like Dani Parejo and Nicolás Pépé, who will drive the offense. “We come with excitement to achieve a crucial victory,” García stated. “It’s a tough match, but we believe in our capability to win.”

Despite the stakes, history shows that celebrations for Barcelona have often ended in disappointment. Of the last seven matches played at home after clinching the title, they have won only one.

Villarreal will be without Ilias Akomach due to an injury but is determined to make an impact. The match is significant for both teams, not just for standings but also for evaluating future potential.

The game kicks off at 1:00 PM ET, with fans expecting an exciting contest as Barcelona looks to end the season on a high note at Montjuïc.