Very important victory for FC Barcelona in San Mamés. The azulgranas took a capital victory by the minimum thanks to a goal from Raphinha just on the brink of rest. In the second half, Iñaki Williams managed to score the equalizer, but it was annulled by a controversial handball from Muniain in a previous action. The lions tried to the end, but without success.
⚽ First part:
The first 45 minutes left a lot of intensity and emotion in San Mamés, but few occasions. Athletic started well by pressing up, but Barça hit first with an attempt by Ferran that went to the side of the net. The next clear opportunity was for Robert Lewandowski, who had a one-on-one with Agirrezabala that the Athletic goalkeeper stopped thanks to a great start. Ernesto Valverde’s men had theirs with a shot from Raúl García that crashed into the crossbar.
And just on the verge of halftime came the Barça goal. Busquets opened to the right wing for Raphinha who controlled and shot with his right foot at the long post. The goal was disallowed for offside in the first instance, but the Brazilian was in the right position and the goal ended up going up on the scoreboard to close the first half.
⚽ Second part:
The second part had a totally different script than the first. Athletic’s strength failed and Barça was interested in putting away their clothes, moving the ball away from Agirrezabala’s goal and not playing with too much risk. And the plan worked out for them until minute 87 when everything exploded.
Iñaki Williams took advantage of a long ball behind the Barça defense to stand alone in the area and beat Ter Stegen. However, the VAR went in to review the play and invited Gil Manzano to see it, who after consulting the monitor decided that there was a previous hand by Muniain that canceled the goal. In the discount, Athletic enjoyed a triple chance that between Ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso and an unforgivable mistake by Nico Williams turned into another failed attack for Valverde’s men.
⚽ Scorers:
46′ (1-0) Raphinha: Busquets controls a ball on the edge of the area, hits a low pass to Raphinha who controls it and shoots Agirrezabala with his right foot.
