BARÇA'S NOTES AGAINST ATHLETIC

Raphinha, Koundé, Cubarsí... FC Barcelona's 1x1 against Athletic

Published:24/08/2024 - 21:48h

Updated:25/08/2024 - 23:20h

FC Barcelona added its second victory in a row in LaLiga with a good performance in Montjuïc against Athletic Club (2-1). Hansi Flick's men had the clearest chances, marking the difference thanks to Lamine and Lewandowski

Hansi Flick's cycle took its second firm step in LaLiga on Saturday with FC Barcelona's first official victory in Montjuïc in 2024-25 against Athletic Club (2-1). The German coach kept his lineup almost intact, with the exception of Pedri González in place of Marc Casadó and the Barça team repeated the score from matchday 1, this time with a more convincing performance in both defense and attack. Beyond the goal conceded and depending again on the punch of Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, the team looks more oiled in terms of the idea of the game. This is how we saw Barça in the victory against the Basque team.

Ter Stegen: Save

The German was very confident both low and in the air, cutting off several Bilbao attacks with solvency. However, he could do nothing against Sancet's penalty, throwing himself to the opposite side chosen by the playmaker.

Koundé: Demanded

The Frenchman, as in the Euro Cup, had to go head-to-head with Nico Williams from start to finish. Apart from a few dribbles and shots on goal by the Basque winger, Jules stood well on the side, although with little room to project himself into the attack. In the second half he was able to advance several meters, participating in the offensive with some crosses to the far post.

Cubarsí: Admonished

He was attentive to watch Koundé's back, but ended up committing a penalty on Berenguer with a reckless sweep that also cost him the yellow card. He risked more than necessary in several cuts, although he was impeccable, as usual, when starting with long balls.

Iñigo Martínez: Leader

He was the voice of command in the Barça defense, giving instructions to Balde and Cubarsí throughout the game. Very confident in the aerial game, he did not give Iñaki Williams any respite and did not hesitate after Guruzeta came on in the final quarter of an hour.

Balde: Incisive

He was able to project himself into attack with regularity, serving up some very dangerous crosses from the side. In defense he had a couple of mistakes that caused a scare at the back, but in general terms it was a good afternoon.

Marc Bernal: Tidy

He beat his midfield partner this summer, Marc Casadó, responding with a very positive performance. Confident with the ball and very organized in covering spaces, the '28' performed well as the only defensive pivot, beyond seeing the yellow in the second half for a trip on Sancet. Eric García came on in his place in the 82nd minute.

Pedri: Incisive

Although he was not so important in attack, the Canarian oxygenated the Barça midfield, very attentive in the circulation of the ball to try to connect with Lamine and Ferran on the sides. At times he seemed to get in the way with Raphinha once again positioned as a playmaker. He served the cross that led to Lewandowski's 2-1 from the left in the 75th minute.

Raphinha: Intense

He was very active in the recovery work, giving a hand to Koundé to give the team an exit on the right. He didn't have much impact in the center, but he did on the sides, freeing up space for Lamine in the first half. In the second half he moved to the left after Ferran left and served a couple of perfect crosses to Lewandowski that the '9' finished first, meeting the post and a save from Padilla.

Ferran Torres: Offiline

He tried a low shot as soon as the game started, but it faded as the minutes passed. Although he worried the Bilbao defense with some inward diagonals, he did not contribute much in attack during the 62 minutes he was on the field. Fermín entered for him to play the last half hour.

Lamine Yamal: Crack

He was a hopeless headache for Athletic throughout the game, unpredictable in one-on-one situations and very intelligent in connecting with his teammates. He opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area that beat Padilla thanks to a deflection off Lekue's head.

Lewandowski: Scorer

The Pole was very active throughout the game, confusing the Athletic defense by moving all over the front of the area. The posts and Padilla denied him the goal on three very clear occasions. In the 75th minute, he was finally able to break the 'jinx', capturing a rebound from the visiting goalkeeper after a cross from Pedri from the side to finish with a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

Fermín López: Revulsive

He came in for Ferran to oxygenate the culé midfield, giving Pedri a hand in creation. Montjuïc applauded him before the start of the match for his two gold medals with Spain, in the Euro Cup and the Olympic Games.

Eric García: Pivot

The Catalan replaced Bernal eight minutes from time, occupying the pivot position. If he finally stays, it is clear the role he must play in Hansi Flick's scheme.