Barcelona played their first home game under Hansi Flick against Athletic Bilbao. The Catalans started their La Liga campaign last week managing a 2-1 win against Valencia. Robert Lewandowski had helped them overcome Valencia thanks to his brace in the game.
Barcelona went into this game against Athletic Bilbao hopeful of getting a positive result, despite their off-field issues regarding finances and players. The Catalans had just sold an important player in the name of Gundogan. This is due to their financial situation hindering them from registering Dani Olmo whom they just bought weeks back. Despite all the challenges, Hansi Flick expected his team to deliver. In the end, they were able to squeeze out another win.
Barcelona Secures a Crucial Victory
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The Blaugranas began their first home game under Hansi Flick intensely. However, Bilbao had prepared a strong defensive line to prevent the Catalans from finding an edge in the game.
On the break, Bilbao had Barcelona’s former target Nico Williams rioting the left wing. The Spaniard had one or two dangerous runs into Barcelona’s 18-yard box to cause some form of chaos. However, Bilbao couldn’t punish the Catalans as no one was at the end of William’s passes. Barcelona took the lead after Lamine Yamal had a deflected shot off Bilbao’s defender Iñigo Lekue into the goal.
Soon Catalonia side conceded after Pau Cubarsi made a poor challenge on Alex Berenguer, and Oihan Sancet equalized from the spot kick. The second half was a tough struggle between both teams to find the winner. However, Barcelona looked more threatening at securing a winner. The Blaugranas found the winner after Alex Padilla parried a shot from Pedri into the path of Lewandowski. The Polish striker finished from close range.
Hansi Flick’s Assessment of the Game
Hansi Flick responded to the game with a sense of confidence and positivity. He said, “I’m more satisfied today than I was in Valencia. I’m very happy with the win. I’m also happy Pedri is back. At times, there was a lack of calm, but it’s good to have passion and intensity. When I saw Nico Williams, I congratulated him for winning the European Championship, that’s all.” The German also spoke about Ansu Fati concerning his state. “Ansu Fati is also a player that physically is doing well. I hope that when he comes back, he’ll show the same level that he showed in training during preseason.”
Bilbao’s Coach Assessment
Ernesto Valverde spoke about the game, he referenced Nico Williams and his relationship with the Barcelona fans. “Nico was whistled? I have seen Nico well. There were few at the beginning. It was a quiet game. Fans came to support their team and they were good. It was nothing, things that can be easily tolerated.”
Valverde Continued Concerning the Game
“Difference between Flick’s and Xavi’s Barça? You always notice certain things, how the team presses, how they start the game. In the end, Barça is always recognizable because they always try to get the ball out from the back, and there may be some small differences. Last year there were perhaps times when Pedri played closer to the wing to control that area of the midfield. In the end, they are small details but at Barça, they make the team recognizable in every way.”
Valverde added, “We as coaches notice these differences when preparing for games. It seems that they want to play with two strikers, with players who constantly invade space but today he played almost with four strikers. He put Raphinha in the advanced midfield.”
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