We're off again at the Pottery Stadium. Who will crack first?

Worth flagging up that a point is not really enough for Barcelona tonight. They will finish the weekend in third place, five points behind Real Madrid and one adrift of Sevilla, if it stays like this. 

But worth pointing out too that Villarreal are very awkward opponents. They drew at the Bernabeu in September, and have taken a point against Sevilla too.

John McEnerney: I love 2008... John Sergeant dancing & JT slipping in Moscow!

Thanks, John. I was beginning to think no one would ever respond to this. We're asking for your memories of 2008, as that was the last time Villarreal beat Barcelona...

Image source, Rex Features

Kyle: It was a soft penalty but typical in that league. Juventus get all the big decisions. Very very soft. Game ruined.

Image source, Reuters

Villarreal are based in an area of Spain famous for pottery; for that reason, the decision was taken recently to rename the club's El Madrigal stadium. It is now known as Estadio de La Ceramica, and a ceremony to mark that change took place before tonight's game. There are not, as far as I am aware, any plans yet to mark the change with any matches against Stoke, a city also famous for its pottery. It'd be good, though, wouldn't it?

A New Year, not a new start for Juventus' Serie A opponents.

The Old Lady are well on course to brush off Bologna and stretch their lead at the top to four points.

And here come Barca again. Andres Iniesta sends Lucas Digne charging down the left to cut back for Luis Suarez, 20 yards out. He has to take it first time - any attempt at an extra touch, and he will be crowded out - but one of the most clinical goalscorers in world football can only steer a shot straight at the keeper. And that is the end of the first half.

The match had reached a bit of impasse. But suddenly here's Luis Suarez, jinking into space down the left and winning a corner off Victor Ruiz. The set-piece is bent in, Lionel Messi glances goalwards and keeper Sergio Asenjo takes off to flick the ball over. Villarreal, just for a moment, almost got lured into a false sense of security there.

Clumsy. Bologna defender Marios Oikonomou will be getting the hairdryer treatment at half-time from Roberto Donadoni.

Juve midfielder Stefano Sturaro charges into the Bologna box, forcing Greece international Oikonomou into decisive action. But it's the wrong kind of action. He bumps into Sturaro, he tumbles, ref points tot he spot. Stonewall.

Nicely balanced is this game. Not what I thought I'd be writing with 10 minutes to go until half-time after that early Juve goal.

Bologna are still pressing high, enjoying plenty of possession. The home crowd is getting a little restless.

Villarreal striker Nicola Sansone is hobbling after getting a rap across the shins from Barcelona full-back Lucas Digne. Sansone has a little discussion with his manager, who seems to be cajoling him to get back out there. The striker does as he's told.

Messi's left boot: On my bucket list of life's ambitions is to watch Messi play... I have nothing else to say on the matter.

Image source, Getty Images

A half-chance for the visitors. Luis Suarez, who never stops squirreling for an opening, turns back a low ball from the right towards Neymar on the six-yard line. Mario just gets across to block, and possibly has an arm around the Brazil striker's waist too.

Alexandre Pato tries to win a penalty for Villarreal, but the referee is having none of it as the striker goes to ground. Javier Mascherano wisely just keeps his distance, and ensures there was no way that the officials could think there is contact.

At the other end, Andres Iniesta rolls in a low shot. It takes a deflection, which takes the pace off the ball, and it ends up like a tame effort at a bowling alley. It's not knocking over any more than two skittles, that one.

Juve's intensity has dropped a touch since Gonzalo Higuain's early goal but, quicker than a flash of lightning, carve out a couple of half chances. Claudio Marchisio and Miralem Pjanic go close with pot shots from distance.

How do you approach a trip to Juventus?

Defend deep, give them no space and try to frustrate them? Press high and stop them playing out from the back? Or some other tactical masterplan that I can't think of right now?

They have all been tried. And they have all failed.

Bologna, who are 15th in Serie A, are going with tactical plan number two as they try to find a way back into this game.

Image source, Reuters

Fascinating to watch Barcelona zip the ball around with quick, short passing as they try to unlock the Villarreal defence. It's not working so far; Fran Escriba's side are vso well drilled. Messi and Neymar combine, but the yellow shirts close ranks.

Now Neymar fancies a bit of the action. Initially miscontrolling a pass rather fired at him, the Brazil international than gets the ball again from Lucas Digne, weaves a slither of space as he darts across the face of the penalty area, and unleashes a right-foot shot that flies not far wide. Goalkeeper had it covered, but it looked good.

Image source, Getty Images

The referee is, shall we say, being tested here. Sergio Busquets scythes Roberto Soriano to the floor, and gets a talking to. I wonder, I just wonder, if Busquets was exacting a touch of revenge for Soriano's challenge on Pique a few moments ago.