FC Barcelona ended their 2021/22 LaLiga campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Villarreal at the Camp Nou on Sunday night.
Result: Barcelona 0-2 Villarreal
Date: 22 May 2022
Venue: Camp Nou
Ronald Araujo and Jordi Alba returned to the Blaugrana defence, while Frenkie De Jong and Adama Traore were also recalled after the stalemate against Getafe.
De Jong nearly marked his return to the side with a goal on 11 minutes after getting on the end of Ferran Torres' cross, but he steered his header wide of the mark.
Xavi Hernandez' men dominated the possession for most of the first half, but were let down by their finishing as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang volleyed from close range on 36 minutes after winning the ball high up the pitch.
However, the opening goal fell to the visitors five minutes before the break when Dani Parejo's ball over the top played in Pedraza, who took one touch before firing past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona nearly pulled themselves level just before the halftime break through Torres' volley, but goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli produced a good save to keep the away ahead.
Villarreal went onto double their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Traore's failed clearance landed in the path of Moi Gomez, who sent a first-time volley into the back of the net.
Xavi threw on multiple changes soon after as Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati replaced Traore and Aubamayang, before Memphis Depay was introduced for Torres on 71 minutes.
Barcelona had the ball in the back of the net minutes later when De Jong headed home from the rebound, but celebrations were cut short after Fati was flagged for offside in the build-up.
There was no through for the Catalan giants as the Yellow Submarine held on for maximum points and finish in seventh position, while Xavi's charges ended the campaign in second spot.
