Barcelona’s impressive record at La Ceramica in focus ahead of a potential goalfest vs Villarreal | OneFootball

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will look to extend their dominance in La Liga this Sunday as they travel to face Villarreal.

This will be the final game of the year for Barcelona, who have recovered their season brilliantly after a difficult start to the campaign.

While the Estadio de la Ceramica is notoriously one of the most difficult away grounds in Spain, history suggests it is actually a happy hunting ground for the Blaugrana, reports SPORT.

Barcelona’s brilliant record at La Ceramica

Barcelona’s recent record at La Ceramica has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Catalans have effectively made it a Barça territory, winning their last six consecutive visits.

History suggests this fixture is synonymous with spectacle as well. In their last seven visits to Villarreal, Barcelona have scored a staggering 23 goals while conceding 11. It is a happy hunting ground for Barcelona’s star player, Lamine Yamal, as well.

Barcelona have historically dominated Villarreal at La Ceramica. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The most recent game, played last season under Hansi Flick, was a resounding 5-0 victory for Barça. It was a display of clinical finishing where Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha each scored braces, and Pablo Torre added a goal.

The trend of high-scoring thrillers goes back further. Two years ago, Xavi Hernandez’s side edged out a chaotic 4-3 victory.

Barcelona have not dropped points at La Ceramica since April 2, 2019, when the two sides played out a memorable 4-4 draw.

On that night, late goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez salvaged a point for Ernesto Valverde’s team in stoppage time. Since then, it has been all Barça: a 4-1 thrashing in 2020, followed by three close victories before the recent goal-fests.

However, replicating this kind of dominance could be trickier than usual against a Villarreal rejuvenated under Marcelino and coming on the back of six successive wins.