Barcelona locked horns with Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames Stadium earlier tonight as they looked to secure a good result on the road in the Copa del Rey. Xavi’s men made a poor start to the game as they conceded the opening goal in the first minute when Gorka Guruzeta found the back of the net. However, Robert Lewandowski equalised for Barca in the 26th minute before Lamine Yamal completed the turnaround just six minutes later. The Catalan club went into the half-time break 2-1 up on the scoreline.
Oihan Sancet equalised for the home team in the 49th minute as the contest finished 2-2 after the full-time whistle.
Barcelona ran out of gas in extra time and conceded their third goal in the 107th minute when Inaki Williams got his name on the scoresheet. Nico Williams killed the game off in the dying embers of the contest as Xavi’s players crashed to a poor 4-2 loss which knocked them out of the Cope del Rey.
Let’s take a look at how each Barcelona player fared during the clash against Athletic Bilbao.
GK: Inaki Pena – 6/10
Pena made some important saves at the back but conceded four times in 120 minutes.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10
He did his best to keep things solid inside his half.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 7.5/10
Araujo won his fair share of aerial duels and didn’t do much wrong at the back.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 5/10
He was far from convincing on the defensive end of the field and made some costly errors at the back.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 6/10
Balde had to come off with an injury in the 23rd minute.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 6/10
He passed the ball well at times but failed to make a difference in the opponent’s half.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7.5/10
De Jong distributed possession with conviction from midfield but failed to register a goal.
CM: Pedri – 6/10
He produced a lackluster display in the middle of the park.
RW: Lamine Yamal – 8/10
Yamal gave his team the lead with a great effort in the first half.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 7/10
Lewandowski equalised for Barca in the 26th minute but was quiet in the second.
LW: Ferran Torres – 6/10
He caught the eye at times but failed to get his name on the scoresheet.
Substitutes:
LB; Hector Fort – 7/10
He put in a dominant display defensively.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 6.5/10
Cubarsi managed to impress at times after coming off the bench.
LW: Joao Felix – 7/10
Felix put in a bright performance as a substitute.
CM; Sergi Roberto – 6/10
He failed to get into the flow of the game.
ST: Marc Guiu – N/A
