FC Barcelona - Athletic Club
Matchday 21
Liga

FC Barcelona - Athletic Club

FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
21
Athletic Club
Athletic Club
  • 20' Messi
  • 74' Griezmann
  • Jordi Alba (Key not found (generic.pp)) 49'

LocationCamp Nou , Barcelona

Athletic Club defeated at the Camp Nou

Athletic were looking for the winner, when Griezmann (74’) scored against the run of play

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Athletic Club lost 2-1 against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. The Lions fought hard and the match looked like it could go either way when Antoine Griezmann scored in the 74th minute.

This is the Lions’ first defeat in five games. Up until now, Athletic’s only other loss under Marcelino had also come against Ronald Koeman’s side in LaLiga Santander.

The Catalans were stronger in the first half, and Athletic had Unai Simón to thank for keeping them in the game. 

Simón pulled out several great stops throughout the match, including denying Messi when the Argentinian was through on goal in the third minute.

It was Messi who put the home team ahead in the 20th minute, scoring from a free-kick on the edge of the area.

The Rojiblancos looked more switched on after the break and they grabbed the equaliser in the 48th minute. 

Forward Raúl García swung in a cross from the left flank and Barça’s Jordi Alba, under pressure from Oscar de Marcos, put the ball in his own net.

Athletic continued to cause Barça problems, with Yuri Berchiche particularly dangerous down the left wing. At the other end, Simon was at his imperious best. A full-stretch save stopped Pjanic scoring a header.

Athletic were in control and they seemed more likely to take the lead when Barça got the winning goal. Mingueza’s low cross finding Griezmann in space for a simple tap-in.

The Lions didn’t give up and went out fighting. Iñaki Williams was close to scoring from a Yuri cross and Raúl also tested Marc Andre Ter Stegen, but it wasn’t to be.