Everything you need to know about Athletic-FC Barcelona in LaLiga

Published:20/08/2021 - 20:48h

Updated:21/08/2021 - 20:41h

Koeman's Barça visits Athletic Bilbao this Saturday from 22:00 h, on the second day of LaLiga Santander 2021-2022

After a debut, in front of the Real Sociedad, in which the FC Barcelona left very good feelings (and a goleada to enjoy), the Barcelona group travels to Bilbao for the dispute of the second day of LaLiga 2021-2022 in which they will look for to rectify the good moment of the team, this Saturday in Saint Mamés from the 22:00 hours (peninsular schedule Spanish).

It will be the fifth time in this 2021 that the Barça cross in front of the Athletic Club directed by Marcelino García Toral. It is the third clash in the domestic championship, in addition to the crashes in the final of the Supercopa of Spain and Glass of Rey. The balance, in any case, is more than positive for the Barcelona, with three victories in front of the bilbaínos. Only they fell in the final of the Supercopa, after a traced back historical of the rojiblancos.

Further of the recent record of clashes, the intention of the ones of Koeman in his visit to Saint Mamés is to show that the Barça can follow winning in the era 'post-Messi'. For this, the blaugrana have 'reeconstruido' to the team, with several keys that the trainer of Zaandam wants to 'ensure'. For the culés is key the defensive solidity (with leadership of Gerard Hammered and Eric García in the axis) to avoid the 'gifts' of the course gone through disconnection of the footballers.

This Saturday, in front of the ones of Marcelino, will be vital that all the players are echufadísimos because, although the 'lions' come of empatar in his debut in LaLiga, with a 0-0 in front of the Elche, are an extremely dangerous team, with players talentosísimos, that can complicate him facilmente the watched to the blaugrana. Besides, they will have the return of one of his offensive pillars, Raúl García, a player that already has caused nightmares to the blaugrana.

In this sense, will be key, more than ever, that the Barça was concentrated and look for the goal from the first moment. It is true that no longer is Leo Messi, the offensive engine of the club, but the level of players like Martin Braithwaite, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann, supported by the 'brains' of the team (Pedri-Busquets-Of Jong) invite to trust the team, that is showing that it wants to show a new image, more competitive and able to struggle by the titles in this course.

Koeman, with all his stars

The infirmary of the Barça is only occupied by Marc-André ter Stegen, Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembélé. Oscar Mingueza, that has not been summoned, is in the last steps of his recovery, as well as Philippe Coutinho, that has received the high medical but still is not smart to jump to the field. Like this then , Koeman has to disposal to all his 'stars' and will be able to take out to the field of Saint Mamés an eleven very competitive to return to Barcelona with three points.

It expects that they do not have a lot of (or any) modifications regarding the alignment title that goleó to the Real Sociedad the past weekend. Koeman Will follow trusting his key players, with which considers that it can win to his rivals. In the second part, will have the opportunity of 'revolutionise' to the team, since it has a lot of revulsivos smart to improve the approach.

Marcelino, with high important

The Athletic of Bilbao will receive to the FC Barcelona with a very important news: Raúl García will be available to play against the Barcelona after having fulfilled the sanction that dragged of the past season. The ex of Valencia also will have Yeray Álvarez, but has the doubts of Óscar of Marcos and Dani Vivian.