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March 4, 2024
In their La Liga encounter, Barcelona endured a tough evening at San Mames, managing only a goalless draw against Athletic Club. The match was overshadowed by injuries to key players Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who left the pitch in the first half due to non-contact issues that could impact the remainder of their season.
Goal-scoring chances were few and far between, with the closest moment coming just after the half-hour mark. Unai Simon made a crucial save by denying Fermin Lopez. Then he had to scramble back to touch Joao Cancelo’s chip, with Yeray Alvarez clearing the ball off the line.
The second half needed more urgency from either side to find a winner, leading to a lackluster conclusion. With this result, Barcelona remains in third place, just a point behind Getafe. At the same time, Athletic Club holds fifth, five points adrift of Atletico Madrid in the final Champions League spot.
Xavi’s chances of ending his tenure at the Nou Camp with a significant trophy are increasingly slim following a disappointing trip to the Basque Country. With Barcelona now eight points behind Real Madrid, any lingering hopes for a comeback appear remote, especially after their rivals dropped points this weekend.
The situation is further complicated by injuries to key midfielders. Once the team’s central hub, Sergio Busquets has seen his role diminish, and now, with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri likely sidelined alongside Gavi, the creative core of the squad is severely weakened.
Barcelona’s immediate focus shifts to Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Napoli, while the Italian side will be riding high after their victory over Juventus.
Despite Athletic Club ceding possession to Barcelona for much of the match, their solid defensive organization proved vital in limiting the visitors’ scoring opportunities. Central to this effort was Yeray Alvarez, whose contributions were instrumental in keeping Barcelona at bay.
Not only did he clear a significant threat during a critical moment in the game, but he also effectively neutralized Robert Lewandowski, one of Barcelona’s most dangerous players.
Alvarez showcased his defensive prowess with a critical block in the second half, denying Lewandowski a clear chance to score. His ability to read the game and position himself effectively was essential in frustrating Barcelona’s attack and maintaining Athletic Club’s clean sheet. Overall, Alvarez’s performance highlighted the importance of a solid defensive unit, especially when faced with a dominant opponent.
Athletic Club:
Unai Simon 7; Prados 6, Alvarez 8*, Paredes 7, Imanol 6; Vesga 6, Dani Garcia 6, Unai Gomez 6; Berenguer 7, Inaki Williams 6; Guruzeta 6.
Subs: Ruiz de Galarreta 6, Sancet 6, Malcom 6, Villalibre 7, De Marcos 6.
Barcelona:
Ter Stegen 6; Kounde 7, Pau Cubarsi 6, Araujo 6, Joao Cancelo 7; Christensen 6, De Jong 6, Gundogan 6; Raphinha 5, Lewandowski 6, Pedri 6.
Subs: Fermin Lopez 6, Yamal 7, Joao Felix 6, Martinez 6, Romeu 6.
24′ De Jong goes down after twisting his ankle on landing! His evening will come to an early end.
32′ Almost a brilliant goal from Cancelo! Simon comes off his line to deny Fermin. Still, Cancelo attempts a chip the retreating keeper manages to touch, allowing Alvarez to clear it off the line.
43′ More injury woes for Barcelona! Pedri limps off after pulling up while kicking the ball.
58′ Cancelo slips a ball through to Lewandowski! Just as he’s about to shoot, he’s thwarted by a fantastic challenge from Alvarez.
90+2′ Great chance for Dani Garcia! He finds space at the back post from a corner but heads weakly wide of the target.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Latest Football News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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