Robert Lewandowski struck twice as a hurting Barcelona flexed their muscles to thrash Villarreal 3-0 and stay three points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Thursday.
After Sunday's Clasico defeat and virtual elimination from the Champions League, the Catalans and coach Xavi Hernandez were desperate to prove a point at Camp Nou. Lewandowski, the top scorer in La Liga, extended his domestic tally to 11 goals and his brace, along with Ansu Fati's strike, came in an eight-minute blitz near the end of the first half which effectively killed the game. Xavi made five changes from the side which lost to Real Madrid, most notably dropping Sergio Busquets and deploying Frenkie de Jong in the pivot role, where he excelled.
"After the bad results against Inter Milan and Madrid, we needed to win," De Jong told Movistar.
"If you win games, it always helps, the atmosphere in the dressing room is much better, I'm very happy with the victory.
"I don't care where I play, I feel comfortable in any position."
Women's Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas presented her trophy to Camp Nou before kick-off, and Barcelona could have used some of her creativity in the opening stages as Villarreal's defence stood firm.
Arnaut Danjuma had the first chance of note, firing into the side netting after winning space against Jules Kounde. However the Catalans played their way into the game as De Jong pulled the strings, and with Lewandowski up front, goals are never far away.
