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Barcelona defeat Villarreal Xavi Joao Cancelo Ilkay GundoganGetty/GOAL
Tom Hindle

Barcelona player ratings vs Villarreal: Catalans ripped apart in bonkers eight-goal thriller as disgraceful defending - led by the calamitous Joao Cancelo - leaves Xavi facing the sack

Player ratings
Barcelona
I. Gundogan
J. Cancelo
X. Hernandez
Originals
Barcelona vs Villarreal
Villarreal
LaLiga

The Blaugrana were embarrassing at the back, turning in a performance that could ultimately see their manager out of a job

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A disastrous defensive display doomed Barcelona once again, the Blaugrana conceding twice in second-half stoppage time to conclude a chaotic contest that saw them lose 5-3 at home. Xavi's side held a 3-2 lead after 83 minutes, but a collapse at the back saw them concede three in 15 minutes - a passage that will surely see them drop out of the Liga title race.

Gerard Moreno opened the scoring, darting into the box to meet a driven cross from Alexander Sorloth - which he smashed into the bottom corner. Things got worse for the Blaugrana after the break. Joao Cancelo, playing his first game in three weeks, made a crucial mistake. The Portuguese, usually so calm in possession, sliced a clearance into the path of Ilias Akhomach, who rounded Inaki Pena and finished for a 2-0 lead.

Barca resiliently worked their way back into the game, with Ilkay Gundogan being the source of it all as he placed a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from outside the box after an hour. Pedri then followed with an effort of his own eight minutes later, lashing home from close range after a kind deflection. And the third came soon after, Eric Bailly turning the ball into his own net from Gundogan's teasing free-kick.

And then came the collapse. Loanee Goncalo Guedes got the first, driving a fine low finish past a sprawling Pena, before Sorloth and Jose Morales grabbed the fourth and fifth late on as they sauntered through the lacklustre Barca defence to complete a remarkable comeback that could see Xavi removed from his job.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium...

  • Ronald Araujo Barcelona 2023-24Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Inaki Pena (4/10):

    Could do nothing about Moreno's goal. Rounded a bit too easily for the second and then made a silly mistake on the fourth. Barca miss Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Badly.

    Jules Kounde (5/10):

    Back to his usual right-back position. Never really settled, and didn't finish the game with a single tackle. His form has dropped off significantly.

    Ronald Araujo (3/10):

    Completely fell asleep on the Villarreal opener. Didn't get tight enough to Sorloth on the third and didn't clear the ball on the fourth. Missed an open goal in stoppage time. Miserable.

    Andreas Christensen (4/10):

    Bailed out by the offside flag in the first half after being too easily evaded by Moreno. Swiftly removed at the break for a teenager at half-time, which sums his evening up.

    Hector Fort (5/10):

    Another start for the youngster, with Alejandro Balde out for the season after undergoing surgery. Hooked at half-time after enduring a mixed first half.

  • Ilkay Gundogan Barcelona 2023-24Getty Images

    Midfield

    Oriol Romeu (5/10):

    A surprise start in lieu of Pedri, even if the maestro needed a rest. Not quick enough, with and without the ball. He remains a puzzling signing.

    Ilkay Gundogan (8/10):

    Always shows up in the big moments. His finish was lovely, and he dictated play with aplomb after half-time. Was the only one who could be bothered to track back late on.

    Frenkie de Jong (7/10):

    All-action in the first half. Played a deeper-lying role in the second and held it down alongside subbed on Pedri and Gundogan. Frail as they tried, and failed, to see it out.

  • Joao Felix Barcelona 2023-24Getty Images

    Attack

    Lamine Yamal (8/10):

    Immensely impactful on the right-wing with his pace and trickery. Completed five dribbles, put a couple of shots on target, and was the Blaugrana's most consistent threat. A real talent.

    Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

    Never really made an impact. He will take the accidental assist for Gundogan's goal, though. Doesn't play the full 90 minutes these days.

    Joao Felix (5/10):

    Back in the starting XI after a run out of the side. Enjoyed a few nice moments, without providing any consistent creativity. Better used as a game-changing sub.

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  • Xavi Barcelona 2023-24Getty Images

    Subs & Manager

    Joao Cancelo (4/10):

    Mishit a clearance right into the path of Akhomach for the Villarreal second. A bit of a nightmare return.

    Pedri (8/10):

    A surprise that he didn't start. Made an immense impact when he came on, scoring the second and dictating play.

    Pau Cubarsi (5/10):

    A late slide couldn't prevent the Villarreal third. Awful at the back for the fourth. This can't all be pinned on him, but he was poor.

    Ferran Torres (5/10):

    Offered energy, if not much quality, off the bench. Barca always seem to score when he's on the pitch.

    Vitor Roque (N/A):

    A lively cameo. Stretched the game with his pace. Missed a couple of half chances.

    Xavi (2/10):

    His selection can't really be called into question. Pedri not starting was admittedly confusing, but the Spaniard hasn't played consistent football in months, and needs monitoring. Felix, too, is in good form. But this Barca collapse was damning. How can he stay in a job now?

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31 Oct 2026

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