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Lewandowski double as Barcelona ease previous Villarreal
IMAGE: Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring Barcelona’s second objective in the course of the LaLiga match in opposition to Villarreal CF at Camp Nou in Barcelona, on Thursday. {Photograph}: Alex Caparros/Getty Photos
Barcelona bounced again from their painful Clasico loss in fashion as they cruised to a 3-0 house LaLiga win over Villarreal with a brace from Robert Lewandowski on Thursday.
Barcelona remained second within the standings on 25 factors, three behind Actual Madrid and three away from third-placed Actual Sociedad, who’ve received their final 5 league video games and eight consecutive wins in all competitions.
Supervisor Xavi Hernandez stated he was going to shake issues up and he stored his phrase, making 5 adjustments to the staff fully outclassed of their 3-1 loss at Actual Madrid on Sunday.
That was one other main blow to Xavi and his staff who’re on the verge of Champions League elimination after a 3-3 house draw with Inter Milan final week.
“The adjustments are to not level fingers at anyone,” Xavi advised a information convention.
“On Sunday (in opposition to Athletic Bilbao) I’ll make extra adjustments. I would like all gamers to be prepared and 100% for when the chance comes.
“We want depth and can. We have to react rapidly after two dangerous outcomes and I feel we made an ideal recreation tonight.”
IMAGE: Ansu Fati celebrates after scoring Barcelona’s third objective. {Photograph}: Alex Caparros/Getty Photos
Teenager Ansu Fati shone for Barca on Thursday as he created three nice early probabilities earlier than Lewandowski opened the scoring within the thirty first minute.
The Polish striker managed the ball brilliantly from a low cross by Jordi Alba and shook off two defenders with a refined contact earlier than swivelling to complete with a robust shot.
Barcelona scored thrice in seven minutes because the Polish striker elevated the lead with a exact curling shot from the sting of the field to complete off a counter-attack after Pedri stole the ball near the centre circle.
Lewandowski has scored 11 objectives in 10 LaLiga matches for Barcelona this season and is the league’s prime scorer, 4 objectives forward of his nearest rival.
Fati, 19, scored Barca’s third three minutes later, inserting a close-range shot into the empty web from a low cross by Ferran Torres.
With the factors secured, Barca took their foot off the gasoline after the break however comfortably held on to their lead.
“Crucial factor is the win. The staff all the time come first,” Ansu Fati advised Movistar Plus.
“After all, I wish to play, to begin and get again in form. I am prepared, I really feel good and I am accessible to assist the staff if the coach wants me.”
Arsenal attain Europa League knockout stage
IMAGE: Granit Xhaka scores the profitable objective for Arsenal within the 71st minute. {Photograph}: Julian Finney/Getty Photos
Arsenal certified for the Europa League knockout stage with two group video games to spare after Granit Xhaka’s second-half objective secured a 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
Victory within the rescheduled A match, postponed final month following the demise of Queen Elizabeth, means Arsenal will end within the prime two in Group A having maintained their good begin after 4 video games.
The group winners safe an automated last-16 spot whereas the runners-up face one of many third-placed groups dropping down from the Champions League in a two-legged playoff tie in February.
“We had actually good moments the place we dominated in opposition to a very good facet. We lacked that remaining go or shot however we’re glad to win the sport and we’re certified which is step one,” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta stated.
“The distinction between ending first and second is large and we wish to get the job performed (subsequent week).
Arsenal go to PSV subsequent Thursday within the reverse fixture needing some extent to ensure prime spot within the group.
The hosts endured a irritating first half as they dominated, and had 9 photographs to PSV’s one, however struggled to create clear alternatives and didn’t bother goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
Arsenal additionally made a gradual begin to the second half earlier than Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus all got here near breaking the impasse, with Xhaka lastly giving them a deserved lead within the 71st minute.
Substitute Martin Odegaard performed the ball broad proper to Takehiro Tomiyasu who discovered an unmarked Xhaka and the Swiss midfielder swung a half-volley previous Benitez for his third objective of the season in all competitions.
Arsenal sit prime with 12 factors, 5 greater than second-placed PSV, with the win leaving them on the cusp of sealing prime spot.
“We had likelihood after likelihood and we did not have the luck to attain earlier however we had the eagerness to maintain the ball, maintain creating the possibilities and I feel we deserved the win,” Xhaka stated.
“It provides us confidence. The whole lot goes nicely for the time being however for us it’s not a shock, we’re doing loads of work… We wished to undergo and are very glad.”
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