SAN MAMÉS, COMPLICATED SCENARIO FOR BARÇA
There is ‘Classical’ in LaLiga that are not designated like such, but that generate that the championship ‘detain’ to enjoy of the party. It is the case of the duel between the Athletic Club and FC Barcelona, two of the teams with more histories in the championship and that arrive to the duel of the day 27 with the imperial need to carry a victory. The Basques to equalise in points to the Athletic of Madrid and have options to classify to the next Champions League and the Barcelona to exhaust the options to litigate by the title to the end.
Both teams arrive with contexts very different, but in good condition of form and with positive feelings. The ones of Ernesto Valverde ‘go back’ home three days after golear to the Athletic of Madrid (3-0) and ensure his pass to the final of the Glass of Rey, keeping a week more to Saint Mamés like a fortín. The Barça, by his part, comes to complete one of his best performances against the Getafe that finish with goleada (4-0) and positive notes in every aspect for a team that resists to give LaLiga by stray to fault of 12 days so that it finish.
Saint Mamés, stadium ‘impossible’ in the 2023/24
It is a decisive party for both and in which the ‘Saint factor Mamés’ has a lot of weight. It does not be necessary to overlook that the Athletic alone has lost once in his house in all the season. It was in the first day of the championship, against the Real Madrid (0-2). They have added ten consecutive victories in his house, icluyendo two recent goleadas to the Athletic of Madrid (3-0) and Girona (3-2), second qualifier in League. Valverde Has converted to the ‘lions’ in a team that roars very strong in his stadium and that, more important still, commits very few errors.
The Barcelona, by his part, do not know what is the defeat playing to domicile. They have resolved with ties or victories all the parties far of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys and will look for to give continuity to the positive series, although they are consent that in front will have to one of the most dangerous groups of the First Division that, besides, will follow of party by his pass to the final of Glass. This yes, the ones of Xavi will have to step forward in the defensive facet because, although they did not fit in front of the Getafe, accumulate 13 clashes receiving goals against out of house.
The Barça, historically upper to the Athletic
An Athletic-Barça always generates emotion, but in this opportunity has a ‘ingredient’ extra by all what there is at stake, in addition to that would serve of ‘revenge’ for both teams. It does not be necessary to overlook that in the duel of the first turn, in Montjuïc, a goal of Marc Guiu gave the victory by the minimum for the culés in a party very ‘tightened’. In January, went back to see the faces in the quarter-finals of the Glass of Rey and the bilbaínos imposed in the extention with a global of 4-2. The two will want to decant the scales to his favour in the global of the season.
It will be, without place to doubt, a duel of maximum requirement that will define by details. Historically, the Barça has imposed to the Athletic in the majority of occasions. Of 240 clashes, the culés have carried the victory in 121 opportunities and have signed 39 ties. For the ‘lions’ have been 80 triumphs, although in Saint Mamés have been upper the venues: Of 121 crashes, the balance is of 59 victories for the Athletic, 37 for the culés and tables in 25 times.
The physical factor will be key in the Athletic-Barça
A factor that will be key and that the Catalans will have to explode are the drops by sanction with which arrives the Athletic. Dani Vivian, indisputable in the saga of the Basques, will fulfil cycle of cards after seeing the fifth yellow in the visit to the Real Betis, whereas Nico Williams was expelled by double caution in the same party. His absence is one ‘victory’, because it is the most influential player in attack and comes to annotate and assist against the Athletic, by what will be an authentic danger.
The Barça has to ‘take advantage of’ of this, as well as of the tiredness accumulated after the duel copero of the Thursday. Likewise, they arrive in a moment in which the injuries are giving respite. Only they are in the infirmary Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Ferran Torres. The two first have said goodbye to the season, whereas the defender and attacker have options to reappear in the next week. Xavi already has the best version of footballers like Joao Félix or Raphinha, that aim to split like revulsivos.
