After securing a win over Valencia on the opening day of the season, Barcelona will look to make it two in a row when they host Athletic Club.
After a disappointing season last time out, Barcelona have started the new campaign under Hansi Flick with a lot of expectations. They secured a win on the opening day of the season and are now looking to build on it as they gear up to host Athletic Club at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday night.
Flick took a few bold decisions in the first La Liga fixture of the season as a young core started in the centre of the park, and they did manage to get the job done. While they conceded early, Barcelona dominated the ball and thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s brace, they secured a comfortable win.
The Spanish giants will aim for maximum points from the first round of fixtures heading into the first international break. While Athletic Club will surely present a few major hurdles, Flick’s team should be ready with the answers.
Nico Williams, who was expected to make the move to Barcelona this summer, is now all set to square up against them, and it will be some story if he manages to inspire an Athletic Club win at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. But, it won’t be easy as the Catalan giants seem to be in a much better shape.
The visitors failed to win on the opening night of the season as all they could manage was a 1-1 draw against Getafe. While Atheltic did dominate the ball, they could not create enough chances to make a difference. It was a disappointing performance, and they will have to do much better to win against Barcelona. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
The Catalan giants will be without the services of Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi. While they were hoping to register Dani Olmo in time for this fixture, it looks very unlikely.
Hansi Flick is expected to stick with the three 17-year-olds Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal and Lamine Yamal who started in their last outing. While the German manager could consider starting Andreas Christensen, reports suggest he could be on his way out.
They are expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Marc-André ter Stegen will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are expected to start out wide as full-backs, while Inigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsi will take charge in the heart of the defence.
Marc Bernal and Marc Casado are expected to continue as the two holding midfielders while fit-again Pedri could come in as the number 10. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will take charge on the flanks while Roberto Lewandowski will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; Bernal, Casado; Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Athletic Club
The visitors will be without the services of Alvaro Djalo, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Nico Serrano, Oscar de Marcos, Julen Agirrezabala and Unai Simon. Meanwhile, Aitor Paredes is a doubt after coming off last time out with a muscular issue.
Athletic Club will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation against Barcelona, with 20-year-old shot-stopper Alex Padilla retaining his spot in goal. Summer signing Andoni Gorosabel should start at right-back, with Yuri Berchiche taking charge on the left flank.
In the heart of the defence, Yeray Alvarez will start alongside Dani Vivian. The back four will aim for a clean sheet against a star-studded Barcelona team, and they will receive support from Mikel Vesga and Benat Prados who will start as the double pivots.
Nico Williams came off the bench in their last outing, but he is expected to start in this important fixture, and his elder brother Inaki will take charge on the other flank. Oihan Sancet will feature as the number ten behind Gorka Guruzeta who will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Padilla; Gorosabel, Yeray, Vivian, Yuri; Prados, Vesga; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won 43 out of the last 68 matches against Athletic Club.
- Barcelona’s last home defeat against Athletic Club came back in November 2001.
- The Catalan giants have scored in each of the last 39 home outings against Athletic.
- The visitors have only won once in their last 21 matches against Hansi Flick’s team.
- The two teams played out a 0-0 draw in their last meeting back in March.
Player to Watch
Nico Williams
Nico Williams was linked with a move to Barcelona throughout the summer transfer window. But, unfortunately, the move did not go through, with the Catalan club identify alternatives. He is all set to continue at Atheltic Club and will be taking on the Blaugrana up next. It will be his first start of the season and after having contributed towards 27 goals last season, he will be eager to get going.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-2 Athletic Club
Barcelona are coming off a win, and they will be confident about their chances but they won’t find it easy against a well-organised Athletic Club. They might not have won on the opening day but they surely have enough firepower in their team to trouble the Catalan giants. We could be in for an edge-of-the-seat thriller where the visitors manager to steal a point. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw.
