Barcelona faced off against Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja earlier tonight hoping to secure a victory and win the Copa del Rey final. The Catalans made a dominant start to the contest but struggled to take any of their chances in the first half.
However, the second 45 minutes was a different story as they scored four times in 12 minutes via a goal each from Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong and a brace from Lionel Messi. The match finished with Ronald Koeman’s men securing a dominant 4-0 win on the road.
Let’s take a look at how each Barcelona player performed during the clash against Bilbao.
GK: Marc-André ter Stegen – 7/10
The German keeper had to make just one save during the game and kept an easy clean sheet at the back.
CB: Oscar Mingueza – 7/10
He hardly gave away anything on the defensive end of the field and was lively going forward.
CB: Gerard Pique – 8/10
The Spanish veteran kept a good shape at the back and deserves credit for neutralising the threat of Bilbao’s Inaki Williams during the game.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 7/10
The Frenchman was relatively untroubled at the back and distributed the ball well throughout the 90 minutes.
CDM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Busquets successfully disrupted Bilbao’s rhythm in the game at the centre of the park and managed to shield his teammates well in defence.
RM: Sergiño Dest – 6.5/10
Dest was adventurous with his movement but struggled to find the cutting edge in the decisive end of the pitch.
CM: Pedri – 6/10
He linked up play well with others around him but will be disappointed for not getting a goal himself.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 9/10
The Dutch midfielder ran the show in the opposition half. He set up Griezmann’s opener before scoring himself in the 63rd minute. De Jong also picked up another assist just moments later and deserves to be named the man of the match for all his good work.
LM: Jordi Alba – 8/10
The Spanish talent was strong at the back and produced an excellent display in the opposition half. He picked up two great assists just after the hour mark to give his team a brilliant 4-0 win on the road.
ST: Antoine Griezmann – 7.5/10
The French striker stretched the Bilbao defence effectively and gave his team the all-important opening goal at the hour mark.
ST: Lionel Messi – 8.5/10
The Argentine maestro scored two quick-fire goals in the second half to seal the win for Barca. It was another promising performance from him tonight.
Substitutes:
RM: Sergi Roberto – 6/10
He offered some fresh legs out on the wide areas.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 6/10
Araujo did well to see out the win with the clean sheet intact.
CM: Ilaix Moriba – 6/10
Moriba kept possession moving in midfield.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – N/A
The French speedster hardly had any time to influence the game.
ST: Martin Braithwaite – N/A
He came on to run the clock down for Barca.
