Barcelona rebound from Champions League defeat with rout of Villarreal

Barcelona rebounded from their midweek Champions League defeat in style by trouncing Villarreal 5-1.

Manager Hansi Flick opted to rotate his side and started with Pablo Torre in midfield and the youngsters Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez in defense.

It was evident what kind of game this would be with both sides particularly open, looking to be the first to strike. Given the physical strain Barcelona endured midweek, it's not something Flick would have preferred.

But Robert Lewandowski would put Barcelona ahead in the 20th minute as he struck the ball first time following a nice through ball from Pablo Torre.

Lewandowski doubled the lead in the 35th minute. Lamine Yamal sent in a cross to the back post, reaching Eric Garcia. He headed the ball towards goal, deflecting off the keeper. Lewandowski then pulled out a mini bycicle kick to put the ball in the back of the net.

Barcelona were riding high but that high was taken away only three minutes with Villarreal pulling one back through Ayoze Perez.

The mood in the Barcelona camp took another hit as the first half wound down.

Off a corner, Marc-Andre ter Stegen came out for the cross. He caught it and landed but immediately went down. His teammates quickly called for medical assistance and the German keeper had to be carted off, hands covering his face. Early reports indicate a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Barcelona had to quickly turn the page on losing their starting goalkeeper with another half left to play.

Villarreal started the second half the better team, feeling like Barcelona were there for the taking.

The home side were all over Barcelona in the opening minutes but unable to get the equalizer. Then, in one of his final moments before being taken off, Pablo Torre restored Barcelona's two-goal lead with an effort from just outside the area.

Despite being down two, Villarreal didn't let up in trying to get back in the game. They thought they got one back only for the goal to be chalked off due to offside.

Barcelona had the opportunity to essentially put the game to rest after Lamine Yamal was brough down near the penalty spot. It was a clear penalty live but the referee needed VAR to intervene as the initial call was no penalty. Lewandowski had a chance for a hat-trick but his shot hit the post.

In the 74th minute, Raphinha did put the game to rest after Lewandowski laid the ball back into the area to an oncoming Raphinha. The ball took a bit of a deflection but it finally gave Barcelona the breathing room they needed.

Raphinha went on to get a brace in the 82nd minute thanks in large part to a sublime pass from Lamine Yamal, leaving him all but one-on-one against the keeper. He struck the ball in the ground, causing it to rebound up and past the keeper.

With Barcelona well on their way to victory, frustration boiled over for the Villarreal players, resulting in two awful kicks to Lamine Yamal. The first, a high kick which could, or should, have been a red card, was only sanctioned with a yellow by the referee.

While the 5-1 scoreline flatter the Catalan side somewhat, they deserved the win. The changes Flick made in the second half refreshed both the midfield and attack, resulting in Barcelona still able to employ their high press effectively.

The injury to Ter Stegen is the downer given the amount of injuries to starting players Barcelona already have. Iñaki Peña took over from the German but he's not a guarantee, evident when he stepped in for a similar reason last season.

For now, Barcelona will have to make do with Peña. In any case, Barcelona maintain their four-point lead in LaLiga as well as their perfect start to the season. Hansi Flick has worked miracles taking into account the players he's missing. He's going to have to do so without his starting keeper.