18.10.2007 11:49
Villarreal the last side to beat Barça
Berta Brau
Barça have not lost a match since 22nd April 2007, when they went down 2-0 against this Saturday’s opponent, Villarreal, in the Madrigal stadium.
FC Barcelona have gone almost five months without losing a match since they were beaten 2-0 away to
Villarreal last season. Since then they chalked up 10 wins and 4 draws in the league.
The last meeting
Barça went to the Madrigal in April as league leaders with 59 points and the best goal
record of 60 scored and 27 conceded. At the time, Villarreal languished in 12th place, having
scored just 29 goals and conceded 39. That day, however, the forecasts didn’t work out.
After an evenly balanced and goalless first half, Villarreal started the second half strongly
and went on to score twice through Pires (55th m.) and Marcos (84th m.), making Villarreal the last
side to defeat Barça in the league in 2007.
Saturday’s rival
The side managed by Manuel Pellegrini is currently third in the table just two points behind
Barça. They have only lost one match at home this season (0-5 against Real Madrid) in the second
matchday. Barça go into the match in second place and on the back of a 14-match unbeaten run,
including consecutive wins in the last four games.
The record books
FC Barcelona and Villarreal have met 16 times with 7 wins for Barça, 6 for Villarreal and 3 draws.
Away to Villarreal Barça have won 3, lost 4 and drawn 1. However, under Frank Rijkaard, Barça have
an excellent record against Villarreal, losing only one of the four matches played in the Madrigal
- in the 2005/2006 season when the unfortunate Peña scored two own goals.