Villarreal vs. Barcelona: Blaugrana Blow Chance to Keep Pace with Real Madrid

Between rolling to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and awaiting the opportunity to defend their UEFA Champions League title, Barcelona seemingly can do no wrong.

Except, surprisingly enough, in La Liga, which they've won each of the last three seasons.

Slowly but surely, the Blaugrana have slipped seven points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish table. Pep Guardiola's squad has lost only once—a 1-0 decision to Getafe in late November—but has given up most of its ground on six draws, the most recent of which came in a scoreless slogfest against Villarreal at El Madrigal on Saturday.

As always, Barca dominated in possession, holding onto the ball for two-thirds of the match, but managed only two shots on goal in that time.

The Yellow Submarine certainly deserve their fair share of credit for wrapping up Xavi and Cesc Fabregas while limiting FIFA Ballon d'Or winner and Ray Hudson man-crush Lionel Messi to just three attempts, none of which were on goal.

That being said, the Blaugrana have only themselves to blame for coming up with but one point against a Villarreal side on the verge of relegation. The attack was staggeringly stagnant without Andres Iniesta, who left Wednesday's 2-2 El Clasico draw with a muscle tear that will keep him sidelined for three weeks.

As important and valuable as Iniesta is to the trophy-winning machinery at the Camp Nou, it's not as though Barcelona don't have more than enough world-class talent on hand to dominate inferior competition without him. Xavi is just as integral to Barca's success, if not more so, while Cesc's £29-million move from Arsenal was supposed to ensure that the Spanish giants still boasted the deepest midfield in the world regardless of fitness or competition.

Unfortunately, that hasn't quite proven to be the case. Barca should know full well by now how to survive, if not thrive, in Iniesta's absence—they did well enough without him between early September and mid-October when the injury bug first bit.

Of course, it's far too early (or presumptuous) for anyone in the City of Counts to panic just yet. Barca are still well on their way to recapturing the Copa del Rey, are favorites to repeat in Europe and are well within striking distance of Los Blancos in the Primera Division.

But if Barca are keen to lock up yet another treble, they'll need desperately to avoid any sort of domestic letdown whatsoever from here on out.

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