Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
All eyes will be on Estadio de la Ceramica when Villarreal and Barcelona face each other in the La Liga round 15. The Yellow Submarine shared the spoils with Celta Vigo in their last league match, with the team remaining in the bottom half of the table. Important attacker Gerard Moreno remains in the recovery room, and, in his absence, Senegal international Boulaye Dia should continue to lead the line for the hosts.
Barca, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over their local rivals Espanyol. New boss Xavi marked his debut with the triumph, but his men will have a much bigger fish to fry against Villarreal. Since Unai Emery’s troops are tough to beat at home, we are tempted to put our money on draw. All Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Martin Braithwaite, and Moussa Wague should miss out with injuries, while Sergio Aguero has retired from football due to heart problems.
Highlighted Player (Ramiro Funes Mori):
Argentina isn’t known to produce great talents in defence but Ramiro Jose Funes Mori is an exception. The 25-year-old started his football career in the United States with FC Dallas. He won an MLS talent competition to get into their youth team but it was less than a year before he moved back to Argentina.
Mori joined River Plate as a youth player in 2008 and progressed to their senior team within three years. The young defender is nothing short of a club legend at River Plate having won six titles with the team. More than the titles and his performances, it was his performances in important games that is still vividly remembered.
His iconic goal against Boca Juniors is still part of the folklore. Mori joined English Premier League club Everton in 2015 and soon established himself as a regular there. Mori represented Argentina seven times and yet to score in national colors.
Highlighted Team (Barcelona):
Barcelona is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia. Barca were founded in 1899 and they are regarded as one of the greatest clubs in world football. The Catalan giants won their 24th La Liga title in 2016, with Luis Suarez winning “El Pichichi” award. Barcelona have won five European Cup trophies and a number of top-class players were part of the team in the past.
The likes of Hristo Stoichkov, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Pep Guardiola are some of many players that played for Barca in the past, but, no doubt, Leo Messi has established himself as the club’s trademark. Barcelona welcome their rivals at Camp Nou, the stadium that was built in 1957.
Barcelona’s local rivals are Espanyol, but the rivalry between Barca and Real Madrid is much bigger. The two La Liga giants face each other in “El Clasico”, which is considered one of the most exciting derbies in the world football. Barca are famous for their football youth school La Masia as well.