Matchday 22 of LaLiga is history, as the weekend’s games were full of emotions and surprises.
The fight for the top of the table continues, but this time, we have that Real Madrid can storm the first place if they win their encounter this Thursday against Getafe. Let’s remember that this game corresponds to matchday 20 but was not played due to the commitments of the ‘Merengues’ in the Supercopa de España.
Atleti recovered and climbed to third place, while Barça showed many problems at home and lost terribly against Villarreal 3-5. That prompted Xavi Hernandez to announce his departure at the end of the 2023/24 season, come what may.
The reality is that, from now on, the teams will be playing for their lives in every game to try to be as high as possible in the table and meet their season objectives.
LaLiga Matchday 22 Roundup – Barcelona vs. Villarreal – Info
When and Where?
Saturday, January 27th, 12:30 pm ET at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Moneyline odds:
Barcelona 1.36
Villarreal 8.70
Draw Offs:
6.22
Where can I watch it?
Barcelona received Villarreal last Saturday, January 27, at the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic, and what was thought would be a quiet culé party, ended up being a nightmare. After coming from behind on one occasion and taking a 3-2 lead, Villarreal took advantage of several mistakes in the Barça backline to take a convincing 5-3 victory.
The match was back and forth, there is no doubt about that. Barça went on the attack from the very start of the game and even had 22 chances to score with ten direct shots on goal. However, the effectiveness of the Yellow Submarine was much better, as out of six shots on goal, five ended up inside Barcelona’s goal.
Gerard Moreno gave Villarreal the lead in the 41st minute with an excellent goal. Then, at the start of the second half, Ilias Akhomach (’54) made it 2-0, leaving the ‘Blaugranas’ on the ropes. However, Barcelona woke up and managed to level the score thanks to goals from Gündogan and Pedri in the 60th and 68th minutes, respectively.
Barça’s siege on Villarreal’s goal continued, and this led to Eric Bailly’s own goal in the 71st minute.
When we all imagined a 3-2 culé victory, Villarreal gave a blow on the table to equalize the scoreboard to 3-3 in the 84th minute with a goal by Gonçalo Guedes. Finally, after one of the longest stoppages of the season, Villarreal sealed the game with goals in the 90+9th and 90+12th minutes by Alexander Sorloth and José Luis Morales, to give the locals one of the season’s biggest upsets.
Result: Barcelona (3) – (5) Villarreal
LaLiga Matchday 22 Roundup – Las Palmas vs. Real Madrid – Info
When and Where?
Saturday, January 27th, 10:15 am ET at Gran Canaria
Moneyline odds:
Las Palmas 7.49
Real Madrid 1.46
Draw Offs:
4.98
Where can I watch it?
Las Palmas continues to play at a high level this LaLiga season, and this was demonstrated in their match against Real Madrid at home last Saturday. Although they lost 1-2, the team showed a lot of resilience and determination against a giant of world soccer.
The match started a bit dull, as neither team came close to the opponent’s box. However, there were a few scoring chances from both sides in the first half, but we still entered half-time blank.
Then, at the start of the second half, specifically in the 53rd minute, Javi Muñoz Jiménez put the home team ahead with an excellent goal. That was a bucket of cold water for Madrid, who were hoping to start ahead on the scoreboard.
However, 12 minutes later, Vinicius equalized with a spectacular goal. Finally, in the 84th minute, Aurélien Tchouaméni gave Real Madrid a 2-1 victory.
Result: Las Palmas (1) – (2) Real Madrid
LaLiga Matchday 22 Roundup – Celta de Vigo vs. Girona – Info
When and Where?
Sunday, January 28th, 8:00 am ET at Balaídos
Moneyline odds:
Celta de Vigo 2.78
Girona 2.58
Draw Offs:
3.72
Where can I watch it?
Finally, we have that Celta de Vigo could not withstand the onslaught of Girona at home and ended up conceding, once again, with a score of 0-1. It seems incredible that a team can lose so many games by the minimum in a season.
The Catalans continue with an excellent pace of play and aspire to stay at the top of the LaLiga table.
The match started with the visitors attacking the Galician defense from the first minutes, and thanks to that, they managed to score the goal that led them to victory in the 20th minute through the feet of Portu.
From that moment on, the match was back and forth, with some scoring chances from both sides. However, neither could score another goal, so Girona continued its winning streak.
EN 
ES 
PT 
PT_BR