Athletic Club de Bilbao have clinched the 32nd edition of the Supercopa de Espana with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Barcelona in the Final at the Estadio de La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. This rather embarrassing result has prolonged Barcelona’s wait for a piece of silverware.
Barcelona and Athletic Club de Bilbao were inseparable at the end of regulation time with a 2-2 scoreline. The team from Basque Country came back from behind on two occasions. Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for the night with a goal in the 40th minute.
Athletic Bilbao were quick to respond with a goal by Oscar de Marcos in the 42nd minute itself. Griezmann put the Catalans in front once again, but another Jordi Alba slip-up allowed Marcelino’s side to score the 90th-minute equalizer.
The Basque side then completed their historic and nailbiting come back with an absolutely stunning Inaki Williams goal in the 93rd minute. Ronald Koeman’s tactics were questionable as he failed to put on an extra defender or defensive-minded midfielder after Barcelona had taken the initiative in the tie in the second half.
Barcelona were caught off guard, and a momentary lapse in concentration has cost them the Spanish Supercup title. Here’s how Ronald Koeman’s side were rated from their 2-3 defeat.
Barcelona Player Ratings Against Athletic Bilbao
GK: Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 7/10
The German goalie will be majorly disappointed by the defensive display of his side. Ter Stegen was left clueless for all of Athletic’s three goals.
RB: Sergino Dest – 7/10
The full-back had a quiet night in Seville and made way for Oscar Mingueza at the end of the first half.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 8/10
Good, solid performance from Araujo in the Spanish Supercup Final. However, he almost gave away a goal with a poor clearance in the second half.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 7/10
The Frenchman had a satisfactory evening at the Estadio de La Cartuja. Lenglet made a couple of crucial interventions in defence.
LB: Jordi Alba – 5/10
An extremely poor performance from Jordi Alba as his defending on the night was very questionable. The Spaniard was guilty of poor defending for both the goals conceded by Ronald Koeman’s side.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
A tireless effort from Frenkie de Jong, but all in vain as Barcelona failed to win the final. De Jong was the driving force from midfield for Barcelona on the night.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10
The Spaniard was pivotal on the night as he kept the Athletic attack under check at all times. Busquets’ passing on the night was mesmerising to watch. Riqui Puig was brought on to replace Busquets in extra time.
CM: Pedri – 7/10
The teenager was lively in midfield and kept the game ticking for Barcelona. Pedri linked up brilliantly with Lionel Messi throughout his stay on the pitch. In the closing moments of regulation time, Miralem Pjanic was brought on to replace Pedri.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – 7/10
Dembele had a dull evening by his standards. The Frenchman almost pulled off a brilliant counter in the closing minutes which could have sealed the game for Barcelona at 3-1.
ST: Lionel Messi – 7/10
A poor evening by Lionel Messi standards who even got sent off in the closing minutes of additional time for lashing out at Molina in an off the ball incident. The Argentine’s movement was kept in check throughout the ninety minutes, and Messi was given very little breathing space on the ball.
LW: Antoine Griezmann – 8.5/10
Scored two massive goals for Barcelona in the context of the tie. Griezmann could have completed his hattrick in additional time but fired the shot far and wide. The Frenchman will be disappointed with the result.
Substitutes
RB: Oscar Mingueza – 7/10
The substitute replaced Dest in defence and seemed to do a decent job replacing the right back.
CM: Miralem Pjanic – 6/10
Pjanic replaced Pedri in midfield and went about his job silently.
RW: Martin Braithwaite – 6/10
The striker was barely involved with play post being brought on and it pretty much sums up Barcelona’s performance on the night.
CM: Riqui Puig – 7/10
A lively appearance off the bench for Puig but of no use at the end of the day.
ST: Francisco Trincão – 6/10
Did not have much involvement with play post his introduction in additional time.
