2024-08-25 10:02:39
FC Barcelona has a full haul of points after two match days in La Liga. The Catalans are having a hard time against Athletic Bilbao, however – until Lewandowski is in the right position. But it’s a “child prodigy” who starts things off.
Second league game, second win for coach Hansi Flick and FC Barcelona. The Catalans and their new German coach earned a deserved 2-1 (1-1) win against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening, building on the 2-1 win they achieved last week against FC Valencia.
European Championship discovery and “child prodigy” Lamine Yamal put the home team in the lead with a brilliant shot (24th minute), and Oihan Sancet equalized with a penalty (42nd minute). Barcelona were overwhelmingly superior in the second half in particular, but despite a few great chances they were unlucky in the final stages and struggled – until Robert Lewandowski was in exactly the right place and scored from eleven meters (75th minute). But Barcelona’s almost careless handling of their own chances meant that Athletic remained in the game until the end.
Bilbao, meanwhile, was waiting for counter-attack opportunities, but remained largely harmless, as did Yamal’s congenial national team colleague Nico Williams, who was booed by the spectators in Barcelona. Williams had previously turned down a transfer to Barça.
Meanwhile, Hansi Flick had to do without not only his playmaker İlkay Gündoğan, who returned to Manchester City, but also attacker Dani Olmo. The Spanish European champion and new signing from RB Leipzig had not yet been registered with the league in time for the match.
Flick and Barcelona will continue their league campaign on Tuesday when the team will be visiting Rayo Vallecano.