Athletic Club 0-1 Barcelona: FC Barcelona has not been fazed by the unrest from outside the lines. The Catalans take the next step on their way to the Spanish title by beating Athletic de Bilbao at home.
Barcelona is plagued by unrest outside the lines. In addition to the financial vicissitudes with potentially drastic consequences for the transfer summer, a dark cloud hangs over Camp Nou with the Negreira case. Barcelona is being charged with corruption with a possible penalty being forced relegation.
The supporters of Athletic de Bilbao also referred to this during the match. ‘Barcelona, to Segunda’ rolled from the stands, where money bills were also waved. But for now, Xavi’s team is heading for the Spanish title. The lead over pursuers Real Madrid was reduced to nine points.
VAR to the rescue
Because the visit to San Mamés resulted in the following victory. In the extra time of the first half, Barcelona laid the foundation stone for success in the Basque Country. Initially, the raised flag threatened to ruin the Catalan party, but on the advice of the VAR, Raphinha’s goal was given the green light.
With the very solid defense – with only eight goals against this season until the visit to San Mamés – a goal is often enough for the three points. This also turned out to be the case in San Mamés. Goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen kept his goal clean until the final phase, albeit with some fortune. Raúl García, for example, headed against the crossbar and Alex Berenguer shot against the post. But the German goalie also showed his class by, among others, keeping Iker Muniain off a goal with a nice save.
Three minutes before the end it still seemed to go wrong for Barcelona, when Iñaki Williams hit the ball past ter Stegen. The rescue for the Catalans came from the VAR, who had seen hands from Muniain in the run-up to the equalizer. As a result, the 1-1 ended and the team of former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was left empty-handed. Because the Catalans also came through the hectic final phase unscathed.
Due to the Catalan success in Bilbao, Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid became nine points again. Next week El Clásico is on the program as the next difficult hurdle on the way to the Spanish title.
