Villarreal boss Marcelino has been previewing his team’s La Liga clash against Barcelona on Sunday and knows his team are in for a tough test against the Catalans.
Barcelona sit top of the table going into the match but face a Villarreal side who have been in great form in La Liga so far in 2025-26.
It’s been a different story for the Yellow Submarine in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, and Marcelino knows it will be a tough ask to take all three points on Sunday.
“Barça demands a great and constant physical effort. They are the top scorers in the competition, and it’s very difficult. We have to compete and find our best form. And be proud of our effort, and hopefully the result will be favorable,” he told reporters.
“We haven’t beaten Barcelona since 2008: I knew it had been many years since we had beaten Barça here. There comes a time when that streak ends. We hope that time will come tomorrow.”
Marcelino also praised Barcelona’s style of play under Flick and hailed Lamine Yamal’s maturity.
“What stands out most is their quality, their daring, their audacity,” he added.
“And combined with their talent, there’s Lamine’s ability, who has the maturity of a 30-year-old. And he’s surrounded by great players in top form. They’re a team with a very defined style, with a lot of passing.”
