Barcelona defeated Villarreal 1-0 on Sunday thanks to a goal from Pedri, moving them 11 points ahead of Real Madrid in second place in La Liga.
Official: Pedri was named MOTM. pic.twitter.com/04yMgeLzXF
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 12, 2023
The champions, who claimed the Club World Cup on Saturday, take on Elche in the course of the week in an effort to close the gap.
In a thrilling match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Barcelona rode their luck and fended off a Yellow Submarine assault to advance toward their objective of capturing the title for the first time since 2019.
Defender Ronald Araujo in particular made a number of superb blocks and interceptions to help protect Barcelona’s slim advantage until the end, locking in another clean sheet.
Barcelona have now shut out opponents 16 times in 21 league games this season, conceding just seven goals.
“The truth is we are working really hard (defensively),” Araujo told Movistar.
“We had to correct this from last season, when teams scored a lot of goals against us, and it was hard for us to keep clean sheets. We’re doing well at the back and the midfielders aren’t leaving spaces, the forwards too. It’s the fruit of (our) work.”
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The Catalans face Manchester United in the Europa League next, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Barcelona coach Xavi said: “There’s a lot of points left (to play for), there’s so long to go.
“The run is extraordinary but we can improve things. We are efficient and very solid, to win these games which are really hard.”
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