Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#1 Antoine Griezmann personifies Barcelona’s recent form

Griezmann again looked sharp at the Camp Nou

Barcelona have endured a topsy-turvy start to the campaign and have been scrappy for a majority of it. Subsequently, Griezmann, one of their marquee signings, has found life tough at times, with criticism being aimed at his ability to fit into the Blaugrana’s system.

Yet, he has managed to sandwich the poor performances with superlative displays. And on Tuesday, it was definitely a case of the latter.

The Frenchman looked sharp from the outset and made the net ripple in the 6th minute after getting on the end of a Messi corner.

Thereafter, his constant running caused the Villarreal defence problems and he was extremely intelligent in his off the ball movements too.

Thus, the former Atletico Madrid striker had strung together his third straight scintillating performance at home.

However, rather frustratingly, he has spectacularly failed to reproduce that level on the road, a trait he has shared with Barcelona so far.

Akin to Griezmann, the Blaugrana have also stuttered and stumbled on their travels, with their inability to get going in adverse conditions coming under the scanner.

Yet, at the Camp Nou, they’ve attacked with verve, engineered several chances and ultimately, put those to bed, thereby emerging victorious in all of their home encounters.

However, one feels that Barcelona and Griezmann might need to significantly improve their away form, if they are to challenge on all fronts.

And, especially after what has gone down on the road in 2018 and 2019, the last thing the Camp Nou outfit would want is a three-peat.