Catalan giants FC Barcelona have recorded a dominant 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in their last game in La Liga.
Ousmane Dembele, Robert Lewandowski, Sergi Roberto and Ferran Torres were on the scoreboard for the locals.
Before the game, Barcelona had a great victory against Villarreal in their last game. They wanted to keep the pressure on defending champions Real Madrid and were looking for victory. Barcelona faced Athletic Bilbao, which is currently managed by its former coach Ernesto Valverde.
Xavi started with his typical 4-3-3. German goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen started under the goal. Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, Eric GarcÃa and Alejandro Balde started at the rear. Sergio Busquets played at the base of the midfield while Pedri and Frenkie de Jong started as central midfielders. Ousmane Dembele and Gavi played on the wings and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski led the attack.
Dembélé stars in Barcelona’s victory
From the beginning of the match, the Catalan giants began to dominate their opponents. They did the first in the twelfth minute through Ousmane Dembele.
Dembélé received the ball from Pedri before launching a shot from the edge of the area. Unai Simon made a brilliant save but the loose ball fell into the hands of Lewandowski. The Polish striker then delivered a perfect cross which Dembele placed into the back of the net with a commanding header.
Then, in the 18th minute, Barcelona doubled their lead through Sergi Roberto. Roberto took the ball from the Barça midfielder and scored a good brace with Dembélé before hitting the ball. Roberto’s shot is deflected by a Bilbao defender and ends up in the goal.
Shortly after, Barcelona got their third goal. Dembélé made a run down the right flank before finding Lewandowski in the box. The Polish striker took a touch to get in position before scoring with his left foot in a half turn. With this goal, Lewandowski now has twelve goals in LaLiga.
Despite leading by three goals, Barcelona suffered a major setback when Spain international Gavi had to leave the field after suffering a blow to the groin. Gavi was replaced by Franck Kessie in midfield.
The first half ended with a score of 3-0. In the second half, Barcelona mainly tried to manage the game, but still got their fourth goal. Dembélé found Ferran Torres in the box with a brilliant strike by which the Spanish striker beat Unai Simón.
Bilbao had a good chance to come from behind in the closing minutes when Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen lost the ball in the penalty area. But Athletic did not know how to take advantage of the occasion. The match eventually ended with a score of 4-0.
With this victory, Barcelona now has twenty-nine points in eleven days. They will remain in second position behind Real Madrid, the definitive champion. Barcelona will face Bayern Munich in their next game.
