By Neel Shelat
Athletic’s spectacular cup file in opposition to Barça
Athletic Membership haven’t defeated Barcelona in any of their final 9 league video games, however their head-to-head file in cups is sort of completely different. The Basque facet have knocked the Catalan giants out of the Copa del Rey of their final two clashes within the competitors, requiring additional time to take action on each events. Additionally they triumphed of their final two Supercopa conferences, successful 5-1 on combination in 2015 and registering one more extra-time win in 2020.
Barcelona anticipating Lamine Yamal’s return
Barcelona haven’t executed nicely after teenage famous person Lamine Yamal picked up an harm in mid-December. They misplaced the sport he went off in at Leganés and suffered one other defeat within the subsequent league match in opposition to Atlético Madrid, so their solely win got here in opposition to a lower-tier facet within the Copa del Rey.
Head coach Hansi Flick was optimistic in regards to the 17-year-old winger’s availability for this match, although he stopped wanting confirming it. Both approach, given Barcelona’s horrible monitor file with harm points for younger stars, they’d be clever to rigorously ease him again into the facet.
Within the meantime, Barça will hope to see a few of their different artistic gamers step up. Lamine Yamal is the outright assists chief in LaLiga forward of Raphinha, who might be recent after being rested on the weekend. Nevertheless, nobody else within the squad has greater than three.
Unregistered gamers in Barcelona’s travelling squad
Barcelona had a two-week break round Christmas and the New Yr, however they remained within the information due to their semiannual lever-pulling custom. Even with none new signings made within the January window to this point, they’ve squad registration points to deal with as Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor can now not characteristic for the crew as issues stand. Nevertheless, the pair have travelled to Saudi Arabia with the squad.
On the intense facet, Barça’s harm listing is now down to only the 2 gamers with season-ending ACL accidents. Andreas Christensen is again after an extended Achilles tendon subject, whereas Ronald Araújo made his return in opposition to Barbastro on the weekend.
Athletic’s spectacular defensive solidity
Athletic Membership have some harm problems with their very own as top-scorer Oihan Sancet, centre-back Yeray Álvarez and defensive midfielder Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta will all miss out. Nonetheless, they are going to again themselves to file one more win over Barcelona due to their collective defensive solidity.
Underneath ex-Barça head coach Ernesto Valverde, the Basque facet have persistently maintained the most effective defensive blocks in Spain. To date this season, they’ve conceded the third-lowest xG tally in LaLiga.
Within the potential absence of artistic gamers like Lamine Yamal and Olmo, Barcelona will certainly discover it powerful to unlock this staunch defence.
Prediction
A minor format change has seen additional time eradicated from the Supercopa this season. Athletic might look to make use of that to their benefit having gained every of their final 5 penalty shoot-outs, although their direct attacking menace would possibly even make the distinction in regulation time.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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