© EuroFootball.com
Uncertain performance of the team in away games can cost the champions of La Liga titles to the pupils of Josep Guardiola.
On Saturday, Barcelona could not break through the defense of Villarreal, and the match at the El Madrigal Stadium ended in a goalless draw.
This was the sixth time that the current Spanish champions shared points with their opponents.
Barcelona, who play much more reliably at home, have struggled to score in away matches against Real Sociedad (2:2), Valencia (2:2), Athletic Bilbao (2:2), Espanyol (1:1), and Villarreal (0:0). The most unsuccessful trip for the champions was to the Madrid suburb, where Getafe took all three points from Barca with a 0:1 victory.
Once again, Barcelona played a draw at home. The 9th round match at the Camp Nou stadium against Sevilla ended in a goalless draw.
Observers note that J. Guardiola's team is still playing in three official tournaments, and injuries have thinned the squad. David Villa, Ibrahim Afellay, and Andreu Fontas have been out for a long time, while Alexis Sanchez was unable to play for two months and Pedro Rodriguez, Andres Iniesta, and Cesc Fabregas have had minor health problems. Along with the matches already played against Villarreal, Guardiola's team now faces the third marathon of the season - in 41 days, Barcelona will play a total of 11 matches in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. During the same period, Real Madrid will play 8 matches against their opponents in La Liga and the Champions League.
