Ernesto Valverde was one of the most criticised Barcelona managers in recent times, especially after the team’s failures against AS Roma and Liverpool. It is only now, over five years later, that people are beginning to understand the Spanish tactician’s value.
Valverde at Barcelona was two wins away from a historic treble and etching his name in gold in the club’s history. As it so happens in Catalonia, he was instead villainised and said to be the reason behind the team’s UCL failures.
Now, he has built a monstrous team once again, this time at Athletic Club. The Basque side, under his tutelage, are fifth in La Liga and eyeing a UCL spot and also in the finals of the Copa del Rey after beating Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
On Sunday night, they play host to Barcelona at San Mames in what will be a repeat of the Copa del Rey quarterfinal. Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of the unforgiving clash.
Scars don’t fade
It has been less than 45 days since Athletic Club and Barcelona last locked horns. The two Spanish sides have often set the park on fire whenever pitted against each other in recent years, and the game on the night was equally captivating.
Athletic got the early lead at San Mames, scoring in the very first minute of the game. A spirited Barcelona, however, fought back through Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski to take the lead at half-time.
What unfolded after the half-time break, however, was heartbreaking for Xavi’s men. The hosts netted an equaliser just four minutes into the second half, setting up a thrilling finish.
Yamal, who was the man of the match till that point, unfortunately missed an open goal with minutes to go on the clock, sending the game to extra-time where Inaki and Nico Williams delivered the final blows to Barcelona’s Copa del Reycampaign. In the process, they delivered scars that just cannot heal.
Heading into the same stadium against the same opposition tomorrow, Barcelona will be put to…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/three-talking-points-ahead-of-athletic-club-vs-barcelona-la-liga-gw-27/
Author : Adithya Eshwarla
Publish date : 2024-03-02 15:12:43
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