Athletic going for third consecutive win against Barça at San Mamés
Athletic going for third consecutive win against Barça at San Mamés
Athletic have beaten FC Barcelona in their last two LaLiga matches at The Cathedral: the LaLiga opener in 2019-20 and the Copa quarter-finals
On Wednesday night, Athletic Club host FC Barcelona at San Mamés for their postponed LaLiga Matchday 2 fixture.
Kick-off is at 21:00 CET for what will be new manager Marcelino García Toral‘s first match in the Athletic dugout.
The Catalans have struggled in Bilbao recently, and the rojiblancos are looking for a third home win a row against FC Barcelona.
The lions beat los cules in the first match of LaLiga Santander 2019-20 and then in the Copa quarter-finals of the same season, both matches with a 1-0 scoreline.
What’s more, Athletic have only lost one of their last four LaLiga matches against Barça (1W, 2D), whilst also keeping a clean sheet in two of them. However, before this run the lions had lost the previous nine fixtures in LaLiga Santander.
At San Mamés, Athletic are unbeaten in their last two LaLiga clashes against the Catalans, with zero goals conceded (0-0 in 2018-19 and 1-0 in 2019-20).
Marcelino will make his Athletic managerial debut in a prominent fixture. Coincidentally, since José Manuel Esnal ‘Mané’ in 2006, none of Athletic’s last five head coaches have lost their LaLiga debut with the lions (two wins and three draws).
Marcelo Bielsa drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano, Ernesto Valverde beat Real Valladolid 2-1, Kuko Ziganda drew 0-0 with Getafe, Eduardo Berizzo won 2-1 against Leganés and Gaizka Garitano oversaw a 1-0 win over Girona.