By Graham Ruthven
Home achievements
In some methods, Athletic Membership and Barcelona have had related seasons. Whereas each groups suffered European disappointments, falling simply in need of reaching a continental ultimate, they achieved their targets in LaLiga.
Barcelona arrive within the Basque Nation this weekend as Spanish champions. Athletic Membership, in the meantime, have already secured their place within the prime 4 and qualification for subsequent season’s Champions League.
In a aggressive sense, there isn’t so much for both facet to play for at this stage. Nonetheless, Sunday’s match at San Mamés presents the chance for Athletic and Barca to complete on a excessive.
Ernesto Valverde’s group are unbeaten in 26 of their final 28 league matches and have solely suffered one house defeat this season, in opposition to Atlético Madrid all the best way again in August.
Athletic Membership have additionally saved a clear sheet in eight of their final 10 league matches, however it will likely be extraordinarily troublesome to increase that defensive run in opposition to probably the most fearsome ahead line in Spanish soccer.
Key gamers
Oihan Sancet began his first match for Athletic Membership in a month in opposition to Valencia final weekend. The quantity 10 has been excellent final season and his absence was keenly felt as Athletic misplaced to Manchester United within the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams have each performed with accidents just lately. Nonetheless, the previous featured within the win over Valencia at Mestalla whereas the latter might play his ultimate match for Athletic amid intense hypothesis about his future.
Midfielders Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Beñat Prados and Álex Berenguer will try to manage play within the centre of the pitch in opposition to a Barcelona unit that can put them underneath strain on either side of the ball.
Hansi Flick might rotate his group and reward a few of his fringe gamers who’ve been neglected for a lot of Barcelona’s season.
Nonetheless, Lamine Yamal will certainly be given one other alternative to showcase his unbelievable expertise and cap an impressive season which has seen {the teenager} scoring in every of his final three appearances.
Raphinha has loved the season of his life, scoring 18 targets in LaLiga. The Brazilian is a perpetual menace on the left facet and could have the likes of Pedri and Gavi giving him service.
Staff information
Nico Williams may very well be sidelined for Athletic Membership with Yeray Álvarez additionally lacking. In any other case, the Basque hosts have a totally match and accessible squad to select from for his or her ultimate match of the season.
Barcelona’s damage troubles have cleared up in latest weeks. Marc-André Ter Stegen is on the market once more, however has sat on the bench behind Wojciech Szczęsny as Flick’s beginning goalkeeper.
Nonetheless, Jules Koundé is sidelined as he has been for the final month with Marc Bernal additionally within the therapy room. Alejandro Balde and Marc Casadó, nonetheless, are again in coaching and will characteristic off the bench for the Catalans this weekend.
Prediction
We’re hoping for a relaxed finish of season aim fest, one which retains Athletic’s spectacular house run going however finally, doesn’t harm anybody’s fame: Athletic Membership 2-2 Barcelona
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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