Hansi Flick outlined his hope to remain with Barcelona for many more years as he reflected upon a successful 2025 ahead of Sunday's trip to Villarreal.

Flick's first full calendar year in charge of the Catalan giants has been a roaring success, with Barca winning a LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana treble in 2024-25.

They also impressed in last season's Champions League before losing a thrilling semi-final tie 7-6 on aggregate to eventual runners-up Inter.

This season, Flick's men are well on course to retain their domestic title, boasting a four-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga going into matchday 18.

Barca have won their last seven LaLiga games by a margin of at least two goals, their best such run since 2017 (when they had an eight-game run, five under Luis Enrique and three under Ernesto Valverde).

Their strong form has led to suggestions Flick could be rewarded with an extension to his current deal, which is due to expire at the end of 2026-27.

Asked if he wanted to extend his reign on Saturday, Flick told reporters: "A year for a coach of Barcelona is a long time! 

"We feel the club's confidence and it is good to notice it. For me, it's great to be here for another year, but it also depends on the president.

"I can say that I love working at this club and that it was an incredible year of many successes. The titles were great, but you have to keep going. That is what we have to do."

The Villarreal.game was initially slated to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, before heavy criticism thwarted LaLiga's plans to host a first league game in the United States.

Asked if he was relieved to be playing on Spanish soil, Flick said: "I haven't thought about that. I'm happy to play in Villarreal. That was the decision of LaLiga and I accept it."

Villarreal sit third in the table after a strong start under Marcelino, though he acknowledges a title charge is probably beyond his team.

"It is difficult to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid," Marcelino told reporters.

"Hopefully, we can stay there as long as possible. That's our intention. We're now approaching Christmas, almost halfway through the season, and I'm proud of the team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Villarreal – Ayoze Perez

Perez is enjoying his longest streak of consecutive games with an assist in LaLiga, teeing up a goal in each of his last three matches.

The former Leicester City and Newcastle United man has also scored in his last two league matches against Barcelona.

Only three Spanish players have scored in three or more consecutive matches against the Blaugrana in the competition in the last decade – Roberto Torres in 2020, Luis Rioja in 2021 and Hugo Duro in 2025.

Barcelona – Ferran Torres

Four of the six players with the most goal involvements in LaLiga in 2025 play for Barca, with Torres (18 goals, five assists) leading that quartet and coming into this match in fine form.

Behind him are Lamine Yamal (21 – 10 goals, 11 assists), Robert Lewandowski (20 – 19 goals, one assist) and Raphinha (19 – 13 goals, six assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – BARCELONA WIN 

Villarreal have won two of their last three LaLiga games against Barcelona (L1), twice as many victories as they had managed in their previous 29 meetings with the Blaugrana in the competition (W1 D6 L22).

But Barca have now gone unbeaten in their last 16 trips to the Estadio de la Ceramica in LaLiga (W12 D4), recovering from a run that had seen them lose on five out of their previous six visits (W1). 

With six straight road wins over Villarreal, Barca are on the longest run of away victories against the Yellow Submarine in the history of LaLiga, and the Opta supercomputer makes them healthy favourites for another triumph.

Flick's team have won seven straight games in LaLiga and are on their longest scoring run in the competition (lasting 37 games, with 101 total goals) since their record stretch that concluded in 2013 (64 games, 198 goals).

However, the Yellow Submarine should put up a fight, having taken 35 points from 15 matches this term (W11 D2 L2) – their best-ever tally at this stage in a LaLiga campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Villarreal – 27.6%

Barcelona – 50.6%

Draw – 21.8%