Athletic Club vs Barcelona: Barcelona aims to make it successive wins when they face Athletic Club in their next La Liga fixture on Sunday.
Match Details:
Teams: Athletic Club vs Barcelona
Venue: San Mamés Barria, Bilbao, Spain
Date: Sunday 22nd August, 2021
Time: 01:30 AM IST
Live Link: https://www.mtvindia.com/
📢 The Cathedral opens its doors once more! ❤️
🔴⚪ Let’s do this, Lions‼️
🆚 @FCBarcelona
🕙 22:00 CEST
🏟️ San Mamés
📺 https://t.co/TPy7oij2aE
📲 #AthleticBarça#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/uykCPpeTOP— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) August 21, 2021
Preview
Athletic Club will look to register first win of the season as they welcome Barcelona in the La Liga MD 2 fixture.
Bilbao played out a goalless draw against Elche in their opening match of the season and would be desperate to get the three points.
📸 Final training session before #AthleticBarça tomorrow (22:00 CEST)
✊ Come on, lads‼️#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/JMBdsuuk8L
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) August 20, 2021
They enjoyed a decent pre-season but have been marred with inconsistencies.
On the other hand, Barcelona began their season in some style as they defeated Real Sociedad 4-2 at home last week.
Braithwaite guided Koeman’s side with a brace sandwiched between strikes from Pique and Roberto; which ensured a solid win.
Lobete and Oyarzabal pulled two goals back but could not put the home side under pressure.
FT: Barcelona 4-2 Real Sociedad
Barca welcome fans back to the Camp Nou with a win 💥 pic.twitter.com/U5Rq7puCqy
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 15, 2021
Koeman will look to sort out his side’s defensive lapses as the season progresses.
Both sides last met in the Copa Del Rey final where Barcelona thumped Athletic Club 4-0.
Messi scored twice alongside strikes from Griezmann and de Jong as the Catalan club won their 31st Copa Del Rey title.
In the league as well, Barcelona won 2-1 with Messi and Griezmann scoring the goals in early February this year.
Form Guide
Athletic Club: WLWDD
Barcelona: WWLWW
Last Matches of both teams:
Elche 0-0 Athletic Club
Barcelona 4-2 Real Sociedad
Where to watch the live streaming and broadcast of Athletic Club vs Barcelona in India?
The match can be live streamed on the club’s official website or on the JioTV App, MTV website in India. Whereas, the broadcast is available on the MTV channel.
Team News
Berchiche, Nolaskoain, de Marcos, Kodro, Cordoba, Capa are ruled out due to long term injuries for the hosts while Paredes is doubtful as he contracted Covid-19.
Barcelona also has a number of casualties ahead of this clash.
Fati, ter Stegan, Wague, Mingueza, Dembele and Aguero are ruled out due to long term injuries; with a number of them returning next month.
Athletic Club possible 11:
Agirrezabala, Lekue, Álvarez, Martinez, Balenziaga, Garcia, Vencedor, Berenguer, Garcia, Muniain and Williams
Barcelona possible 11:
Neto, Alba, Piqué, Garcia, Dest, Pedri, Busquets, de Jong, Braithwaite, Griezmann and Depay
Prediction: Athletic Club 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona should win this one comfortably as they look an in-from side threatening to go big.
The likes of Depay, Griezmann will be itching to continue their solid performances and keep the Catalan side on top.
Athletic Club were not at their best against Elche and will suffer against an attacking Barcelona side.
Players to watch out for: Garcia, Muniain, Griezmann and Depay.
