Barcelona faces Villarreal this Sunday, December 21, 2025, in the 17th round of LaLiga. The match takes place at Estádio de la Cerámica, at Villarreal, at Espanha, starting at 12:15 pm at Brasília time.Raphinhais confirmed in the Barcelona starting lineup, playing in the offensive sector.
The competition leader seeks to maintain the winning streak and extend its advantage in the table before the end of year break. Villarreal, third placed, plays at home with the aim of touching the top positions. The live broadcast takes place on ESPN on closed TV and on Disney+ on streaming.
- Available platforms: ESPN for pay TV subscribers.
- Disney+: Acesso via app or website with active subscription.
These options allow complete tracking of bids on different devices.
Raphinha confirmed in the lineup
Raphinhastarts the match as a starter in Barcelona, positioned in attack alongside Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. The Brazilian is going through a great phase, with decisive goals and assists in recent LaLiga rounds. Sua inclusion reinforces the speed and finishing power of the Catalan team.
Coach Hansi Flick maintains confidence in the player, who has directly contributed to the team’s positive results. Essa decision highlights the leadership role played by Raphinha in the current squad.
Where to watch the match live
The exclusive broadcast will be carried out by ESPN and Disney+ for the Brazilian public. Ambas platforms offer comprehensive coverage, with high definition images and specialized comments. Services include replay options for important moments.
- ESPN: Canal integrated into pay TV packages.
- Disney+: Streaming accessible on multiple connected devices.
This coverage guarantees broad access to the LaLiga clash.
Official lineups released
The lineups were announced by the clubs before kickoff. Barcelona adopts an offensive formation, exploring the wings with speed. Villarreal prioritizes balance between defense and quick transitions.
- Villarreal (4-4-2): Luiz Júnior; Pau Navarro, Rafa Marín, Renato Veiga, Alfonso Pedraza; Tajon Buchanan, Santi Comesaña, Dani Parejo, Alberto Moleiro; Ayoze Pérez, Georges Mikautadze.
- Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan García; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Alejandro Balde; Eric García, Frenkie of Jong; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.
These choices reflect the tactics prepared by coaches Marcelino and Hansi Flick.
Position in the competition table
Barcelona occupies the lead in LaLiga with a comfortable advantage over its direct rivals. The team has the best attack in the championship and a recent undefeated streak. The Catalan club has high points after consecutive victories.
Villarreal is in third place, demonstrating defensive and offensive consistency throughout the season. The home team maintains a competitive pace, with few defeats recorded.
The current classification positions the duel as a direct confrontation between forces at the top of the table.
Absences in both teams
Villarreal is dealing with absences due to injuries to players like Logan Costa, Juan Foyth and others in the defensive sector. Essas casualties require adjustments to the tactical system adopted by Marcelino. The cast reserves options for immediate replacement.
Barcelona has important returns, but still misses such as Dani Olmo, Pablo Gavi and Ronald Araújo in recovery. The main group remains competitive despite the limitations.
- Villarreal: Costa, Foyth and Akhomach out due to injuries.
- Barcelona: Olmo, Gavi and Araújo unavailable for the game.
These absences impact the strategies of both sides on the field.
Players to keep an eye on
Raphinha stands out in the Barcelona with precise finishing and constant movement in attack. Ayoze Pérez leads Villarreal with goals and participation in decisive plays. Lamine Yamal complements the Catalan offensive sector with dribbling and speed.
- Barcelona: Raphinha (efficient finisher), Yamal (skilled dribbler).
- Villarreal: Pérez (versatile striker), Parejo (play organizer).
These names have the potential to influence the outcome with individual actions.
The confrontation between Villarreal and Barcelona promises balance, with offensive proposals from both teams. The match ends the calendar year in LaLiga with intense competition for ball possession and scoring chances.
