The La Liga match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona is set for Saturday, March 7, at 9:00 PM local time (20:00 GMT) at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has expressed confidence that his team will not be derailed by injuries as they aim to secure a victory over Athletic Bilbao to restore their four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the league table. Their fierce rivals closed the gap with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, thanks to a late goal by Federico Valverde, making this match a critical opportunity for Barcelona to maintain their advantage in the title race.
Barcelona has been hit by a series of injuries to key players: defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde sustained injuries during their 3-0 Copa del Rey semifinal win over Atletico Madrid, though the result was insufficient to overturn a four-goal deficit from the first leg. Midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also remain sidelined, but striker Robert Lewandowski is fit for the clash with Athletic. Flick emphasized that managing the team is his responsibility and stated he will consult with medical and technical staff to address the injury issues, while remaining optimistic about the chances for other players to step up.
Athletic Bilbao faces its own challenges: Yeray Alvarez is suspended, while Nico Williams, Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, and Maroan Sannadi are all injured. The team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in their last match, but no additional injuries were reported. Recent encounters have favored Barcelona, with a 5-0 thrashing in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal in January and a 4-0 victory in La Liga in December. Athletic's last win over Barcelona was a 4-2 Copa del Rey victory in January 2024, requiring extra time, but in La Liga, they have not beaten Barcelona since 2019, highlighting the uphill battle for the Basque club.
The outcome of this match holds significant implications for Barcelona's title aspirations, especially given the injury setbacks and pressure from Real Madrid. Flick noted that despite the Copa del Rey exit, the team's performance provided encouragement and confidence. Athletic will look to leverage home advantage to improve their standing in the league. The match will be broadcast live on Al Jazeera, offering fans an engaging showdown in the Spanish top flight.
Source: www.aljazeera.com