The new San Mames Stadium in Bilbao is where FC Barcelona visited Athletic Club in a new La Liga match. We have the player ratings.
FC Barcelona had a pending match to play today against Athletic Club in San Mames, winning would catapult them to La Liga’s third place. As the season keeps going, Ronald Koeman keeps making experiments with his line-up in order to find the ideal starting eleven. Today, he attempted to use Pedri as a ‘False 9’ and his wager did wonders against the Basque squad.
Lionel Messi already knows he has a player he can trust with the youngster, as we all wait for Ansu Fati’s return from his injury. For today’s match, Koeman seems to have found the ideal squad that can compete for trophies this season. Iñaki Williams angered Barcelona with an early opener in the first minutes of the game. Messi and Pedri connected wonderfully in the first two goals for Barcelona. Leo sent a long cross from the deep to De Jong, who laid the ball down for Pedri’s header.
Messi smiles with Pedri again.
In the second goal, Pedri assisted Messi with yet another backheel pass that gave Leo the chance to score the second goal. Instead of celebrating his goal, Leo seemed happier about Pedri’s assist. Already in the second half, Griezmann found Messi for the second goal with Pedri’s involvement once again. Iker Muniain got to score Athletic’s second goal after a ghastly mistake by Leo Messi but it was too late, Barcelona won the game in San Mames. This display made us think that Barcelona is not so lost after all.
Player ratings
Athletic Club: Unai (3), De Marcos (5), Yuri (5), Inigo (5), Capa (4), Nunez (5), Garcia (5), Vesga (5), Vencedor (4), Muniain (7), Williams (6).
Bench: Balenziaga (9), Berenguer (7), Garcia (7), Morcillo (5).
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen (7), Alba (7), Lenglet (7), Araujo (7), Dest (7), Busquets (8), De Jong (8), Messi (9), Grriezmann (8), Dembele (7), Pedri (9).
Bench: Mingueza (6), Braithwaite (5).
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