Barca Blaugranes - Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao, 2017 Copa del Rey: Team News, Lineups, Goals, Live Stream, All Updates#GraciesTitohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47187/barca-fave.png2017-01-12T11:26:29+01:00http://www.barcablaugranes.com/rss/stream/140002432017-01-12T11:26:29+01:002017-01-12T11:26:29+01:00Barça 3-1 Bilbao: Match Review
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<img alt="Barcelona v Athletic Club - Copa del Rey: Round of 16 Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MxDofPjx8lZNLq1aNTgwIvEIe7I=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52714065/631496426.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Recap of the action from Barcelona’s Spanish Cup win against Athletic Bilbao</p> <p id="14G1Op"><a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> overcame the first leg 2-1 deficit “earned” in the Basque Country, advancing to the next round of the Spanish Cup by a 4-3 aggregate win over <a href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/">Athletic Bilbao</a>. Luis Suarez opened the scoring for Barcelona in the first half, before Neymar’s and <span>Lionel Messi</span>’s strikes sandwiched Enric Saborit’s effort in the second half.</p>
<p id="sPeL9c">With Ivan Rakitić in the doghouse, it didn’t come as a surprise the Croatian was once again left out of the starting lineup, this time he was benched by Rafinha. Jasper Cillessen returned from injury to take his starting Copa del Rey spot. The rest of the Barcelona lineup was as expected. Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde had to select a team that was missing two starters that picked up red cards in the first leg. Their replacements weren’t at all surprising, but the surprise came in attack where Valverde benched Aritz Aduriz.</p>
<p id="gUf0Qd">Similarly to the first leg, the visitors came out of the game pushing high up the pitch, but their press wasn’t quite as aggressive as it was at San Mames. Barcelona looked to quickly make Athletic pay for allowing their deep lying playmakers to create chances from long direct passes. Suarez always seemed to be the intended target, but despite his best efforts the Uruguayan couldn’t get possession in a position to take a dangerous shot. <span>Jordi Alba</span> was also very active on the left wing, but his passes to the middle weren’t on point.</p>
<p id="rgyTuJ">Slowly but surely Barcelona were making life difficult for the Athletic back-line. The visitors seemed to have put a lot of focus on defending Lionel Messi, leaving more space for Barcelona on the left side of the attack, but Alba’s passing in the final third was poor. Neymar was again very successful against the Basque side and it appeared his unselfish pass in the 25th minute to Suarez resulted in Barcelona’s first goal of the game. However… Despite being well onside, Neymar was adjudged to be offside, ruling out Barcelona’s goal. After the last two games, that should not have come as a surprise…</p>
<p id="GTglJH">Shortly after, the visitors were forced to make their first substitution as Xabier Etxeita picked up an injury and was replaced by Gorka Elustondo. Barcelona continued to attack and the historic attacking trio looked destined to break the deadlock before the break. And indeed the three combined to but Barcelona in the lead both in the game and on aggregate. Messi showcased his incredible close-quarter dribbling abilities, which included a “one-two” with Eneko Bóveda, before a lovely through ball to Neymar. The Brazilian beautifully found Suarez wide open on the far post and the Uruguayan, after missing some sitters in recent matches, powered the difficult first-time shot into the back of the net.</p>
<p id="VSrpsp">Barcelona continued to dominate play in the remaining ten minutes of the first half, but more than an off-target Messi free kick from a very good spot the Catalans couldn’t muster. Athletic couldn’t regain their composure after conceding and rarely carried the ball over the half-line. The lack of an all-around threat like Aduriz up front severely limited Athletic’s options on the pitch and Barcelona were able to play with a higher defensive line, which meant they had a shorter field to conquer for the majority of the first half.</p>
<p id="CJHIIW">That the lack of Aduriz on the pitch hurt Athletic wasn’t only noticed by couch-coaches around the world, but was seen by the visiting manager as well. Aduriz joined the Athletic XI immediately after the break. But before the noted Barcelona-killer could have any effect on the game, Neymar brought some magic to the Camp Nou. The Brazilian went on a brilliant run down the left wing, skipping past Elustondo with ease, before being brought down by Bóveda inside the penalty area for a spot-kick. Marred in a scoring drought over 1000 minutes long, Neymar took responsibility for the kick. After a couple of stutters, stops and a few more stutters, Neymar found the back of the net to double Barcelona’s lead.</p>
<p id="xCeMqS">But Barcelona’s advantage didn’t last long. A broken play on the left side of the Barcelona defense led to a perfect cross to the far post where <span>Sergi Roberto</span> left Saborit wide open for the accurate header across goal to draw the visitors level on aggregate. The goal brought new life into Athletic’s ranks and Barcelona suddenly struggled to play the ball from the back, with numerous deep turnovers gifting the visitors good looks on goal, but Barcelona managed to regroup before Athletic could score for a second time. </p>
<p id="1AyiXd">Barcelona survived Athletic’s mini-pressure and returned on the offensive. The Catalans looked destined to regain the two-goal lead in the 58th minute after Messi sent a good ball to the middle to the waiting Suarez, but a diving Bóveda prevented celebrations at the Camp Nou. Shortly after, in quick succession, Alba and Neymar fired right-footed shots on target, but both of them aimed right at the goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz. In the 68th minute, Suarez attempted to put Barcelona in front on aggregate. Unlike his two teammates moments earlier, the Uruguayan didn’t aim right at the goalkeeper, but went for the far post, but his shot whistled wide.</p>
<p id="bD8eRy">Athletic remained active after failing to score a second one after pinning Barcelona back for minutes after scoring. But the Barcelona defense managed to hold the visitors, for the most part at least, to the perimeter and Athletic struggled to find a good look on the Barcelona goal. On the other side though, Barcelona consistently looked dangerous. And in the 78th minute, Suarez won another free kick in a very good spot. With Messi quite badly missing his two attempts, Neymar could’ve been given the green light to take the kick. But Messi would have another go. Iraizoz expected the ball to go over the wall, like it did the previous two times, but no. This time Messi went into the goalkeeper’s corner, bouncing the ball off the post and into the back of the net. Barcelona were now again in the lead on aggregate, but could not afford to give up another one.</p>
<p id="j2mRJt">Valverde reacted quickly, bringing on Markel Susaeta in place of Athletic’s goal-scorer, Saborit. Luis Enrique countered by taking Rafinha off the pitch and replacing him with Rakitić. Shortly thereafter, Neymar dazzled in the penalty area once again, dribbling past three Athletic defenders before firing off a shot that was redirected just wide of target by a block.</p>
<p id="APQyBW">Lucho made two more subs in quick succession in the dying stages of the game. First, <span>Denis Suarez</span> was brought on in place of Neymar, then, Arda Turan took the place of Andres Iniesta. With three minutes added on, Barcelona played keep-away with Athletic, holding the ball until the final whistle, even creating a golden opportunity in the 92nd minute, but Denis misfired badly after being unselfishly set-up by Luis.</p>
<p id="RdhEQN">The final whistle blew and Barcelona recorded their first win on 2017. The Catalans are through to the quarter finals for the 7th year in a row. But before the Copa del Rey continues, Barcelona will look to return to winning ways in La Liga where they will face Las Palmas on Saturday.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/12/14245100/barcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-match-review-spanish-cupBostjan Cernensek2017-01-11T23:54:16+01:002017-01-11T23:54:16+01:00MSN send Barca into Copa Quarters
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<img alt="Barcelona v Athletic Club - Copa del Rey: Round of 16 Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Pifj0m-vsj1NiVr7Cnhe3x9suU0=/1x0:4500x2999/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52708297/631494842.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Remuntada!</p> <p id="pirjtU">Barcelona overturned a first-leg deficit in impressive fashion on Wednesday evening, comfortably defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-1 at the Camp Nou to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Inspired by the return to form of the “MSN” triumvirate who each bagged a goal, Barcelona will be confident of their chances of progressing further and perhaps challenging for the trophy.</p>
<p id="zDJ7Vo"><strong>FIRST HALF</strong></p>
<p id="53KX0c">The trend continued, at least in the initial stages of the match. The <em>Blaugrana </em>were dominating possession and in general, they were winning the territorial battle too, but they were having trouble finding that final pass in the offensive third. The visitors had arrived with a lead, and had no qualms about committing numbers back to do so – as well as engaging in a fair amount of time-wasting.</p>
<p id="ccZuKS">As a result, Barcelona were struggling to find any rhythm, and just when it appeared as though they had burst into life, another controversial decision halted them in their tracks. Neymar had been flagged for offside after a defense splitting pass from Andres Iniesta, so the subsequent tap-in from Luis Suarez never made it onto the scoreboard. Predictably, replays showed that Neymar was well onside at the time the pass was made.</p>
<p id="x6q3o3">The trio would not let that discourage them. Iniesta won possession and fed Neymar, who was in dazzling form on the left, and he continued his strong showing with a cross to the back-post where Luis Suarez was waiting to caress a volley into the far corner of the net.</p>
<p id="BePXh3"><strong>SECOND HALF</strong></p>
<p id="5SbkNm">As things stood after the first half, Barcelona were on their way into the quarter-finals on the away goal rule, but a goal for Athletic Bilbao would have changed all that. There was still work to do, and Neymar got straight to the task at hand; a typically impressive dribble into the area caught Athletic off-guard and a clumsy challenge brought the Brazilian to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot, and Neymar made no mistake with a cool finish to double the <em>Blaugrana’s </em>advantage.</p>
<p id="QhpKDo">Game-over, right? Wrong. It may have been their first real attack of the night, but Athletic Bilbao struck back within minutes; Boveda surged clear on the overlap and his cross was ably headed into the back of the net by Saborit. All of a sudden, a match that seemed decided was back in the balance and destined for extra-time.</p>
<p id="jsUhX0">Step forward, <span>Lionel Messi</span>.</p>
<p id="DJ0i9L">All throughout the match, Athletic had been playing with fire, giving away free kicks like candy on Halloween. As if the weekend hadn’t been warning enough, Messi eventually made them pay, firing in a trademark curler that bounced in off the post. This time, Barcelona would hold on to their lead and with it, book their place in the quarters.</p>
<p id="5lWvtD"> </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="4oaCgC">
<p id="t4Lhlm"><strong>Barcelona</strong>: Cillessen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rafinha (Rakitic), Iniesta (Turan); Messi, Suárez, Neymar (Denis)</p>
<p id="d4ucw0">Goals: <em>Suarez (35'), Neymar (48’), Messi (77’)</em></p>
<p id="zBvfrE"><strong>Athletic Bilbao</strong>: Iraizoz; Boveda, Laporte, Etxeita (Elustondo), Balenziaga; Benat, San Jose; Saborit (Susaeta), Eraso, Williams; Sabin (Aduriz)</p>
<p id="eIofQl">Goal: <em>Saborit (51’)</em></p>
<p id="Ob7wy9"> </p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/11/14244270/barcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-final-score-instant-recap-reactionsArron Duckling2017-01-11T20:31:12+01:002017-01-11T20:31:12+01:00Barça vs Bilbao: Lineups & Live Thread
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<img alt="FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - La Liga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C4CH46ag8NJ93CoejgiBxj0vl98=/0x0:3174x2116/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52702085/627791362.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Live game thread with confirmed lineups for Barcelona's Spanish Cup match against Athletic Bilbao</p> <p id="gm25eg">Copa del Rey: Round of 16, 2nd Leg</p>
<p id="dt29Jm">1st Leg Result: <a href="http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/6/14183938/athletic-bilbao-vs-barcelona-2017-copa-del-rey-match-review">Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona</a></p>
<p id="qofyNT">San Mamés, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain</p>
<p id="fhS5di"><strong>Kickoff</strong>: Wednesday, 11 January 2017, 9:15pm CET</p>
<p id="dcl5Fd"><strong>Referee</strong>: </p>
<p id="JlDazf">*****</p>
<h3 id="oMn2xV">Starting Lineups</h3>
<p id="cNx32H"><a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/"><strong>Barcelona</strong></a> (4-3-3): 13. Jasper Cillessen; 20. <span>Sergi Roberto</span>, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 3. Gerard Pique, 18. <span>Jordi Alba</span>; 5. <span>Sergio Busquets</span>, 8. Andres Iniesta, 12. Rafinha; 10. <span>Lionel Messi</span>, 9 Luis Suarez, 11. Neymar</p>
<p id="1bYhnl"><strong>Substitutes</strong>: 1. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 14. <span>Javier Mascherano</span>, 19. Lucas Digne, 4. Ivan Rakitić, 7. Arda Turan, 17. Paco Alcacer</p>
<p id="3UoW4f"><strong>Coach</strong>: <span>Luis Enrique</span></p>
<p id="d9Q76V">*****</p>
<p id="O8dhTw"><a href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/"><strong>Athletic Bilbao</strong></a> (4-2-3-1): 1. Gorka Iraizoz; 2. Eneko Bóveda, 4. Aymeric Laporte, 24. Mikel Balenziaga, 16. Xabier Etxeita; 6. Mikel San José, 7. Beñat Etxebarria; 19. Sabin Merino, 5. Javier Eraso 25. Enric Saborit; 11. Iñaki Williams</p>
<p id="JBrpUk"><strong>Substitutes</strong>: 26. Kepa Arrizabalaga, 3. Gorka Elustondo, 32. Unai Simón, 12. Mikel Vesga, 14. Markel Susaeta, 17. Mikel Rico, 10. Iker Muniain, 20. Aritz Aduriz</p>
<p id="xJeNDN"><strong>Coach</strong>: Ernesto Valverde</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/11/14240860/barcelona-athletic-bilbao-copa-del-rey-confirmed-lineups-live-game-threadBostjan Cernensek2017-01-11T15:15:02+01:002017-01-11T15:15:02+01:00Barça vs Bilbao: How to Watch
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<img alt="Villarreal CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ySzZ9wM261Hq9OMytAGzW2ESoEo=/0x153:3187x2278/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52694927/631389650.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It's a final for Barça, and it'll not be easy</p> <p id="rZH32a">The best club in the world has a difficult job ahead.</p>
<p id="BAU1wJ"><a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> will be taking the field on Wednesday night at Camp Nou looking for the first victory of 2017 when <a href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/">Athletic Bilbao</a> come to visit for the second leg of the <em>Copa del Rey</em> Round of 16. Athletic won the first leg 2-1, and now hope to cause an upset and knock out the defending champions before the quarterfinals.</p>
<p id="m7If2l">Losing so early in a Cup competition Barça value so much would obviously be a disaster, and the team's performances since the start of this season don't make a disaster such a shocking occurrence. There's no denying that this is not the usual standard Barcelona set for themselves, and they need to provide a strong response to the doubters, turn the tie around and qualify to the next phase by beating a really tough team.</p>
<p id="dw0boL">The Camp Nou will be packed and rocking, <span>Lionel Messi</span> and Co. will be in action, and Barça will be looking to make a point: this is still a pretty damn good team that will step up in big moments.</p>
<p id="dRFvfj">Don't miss this game. It'll be fun.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="D9gqaa">
<p id="RlVzib"><strong>Date/Time</strong>: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 9:15pm local time (CET), 8:15pm BST (UK), 3:15pm ET, 12:15pm PT (US), 1:45am IST (India, next day)</p>
<p id="PqPnQc"><strong>Venue</strong>: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain</p>
<p id="SS32qa"><strong>Referee</strong>: Jesús Gil Manzano</p>
<p id="GCchkS"><strong>On TV</strong>: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641846&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fv2%2Fbein.html%3Fmbsy%3DdcPrc&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barcablaugranes.com%2F2017%2F1%2F11%2F14236730%2Fbarcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-start-time-tv-listings-live-stream-watch-online" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">beIN SPORTS</a>, beIN SPORTS En Español (US & Canada), <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2313855/barcelona-vs-athletic-club/">elsewhere</a></p>
<p id="023VPH"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641846&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2FbeIN-Sports-Connect%2F%3Fmbsy%3DdcPrc&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barcablaugranes.com%2F2017%2F1%2F11%2F14236730%2Fbarcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-start-time-tv-listings-live-stream-watch-online" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">beIN SPORTS CONNECT</a>, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641846&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Flive%2Findex.html%3Fmbsy%3D%3Fmbsy%3DdcPrc&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barcablaugranes.com%2F2017%2F1%2F11%2F14236730%2Fbarcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-start-time-tv-listings-live-stream-watch-online" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">FuboTV</a> (US & Canada), <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2313855/barcelona-vs-athletic-club/">elsewhere</a></p>
<p id="9REb5o">(Listings via <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2313855/barcelona-vs-athletic-club/">LiveSoccerTV</a>)</p>
<p id="EHsXWq"><em>Note: You can watch every Barcelona match in all competitions this year thanks to the awesome FuboTV service. United States and Canada users can watch legal, high-definition streams of all Barça matches on PC, Tablet, phone and connected TVs for only $9.99 a month. </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641846&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fv2%2FBarcelona.html%3Fmbsy%3DdcPrc&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barcablaugranes.com%2F2017%2F1%2F11%2F14236730%2Fbarcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-start-time-tv-listings-live-stream-watch-online" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>Sign up right now!</em></a></p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/11/14236730/barcelona-athletic-bilbao-2017-copa-del-rey-start-time-tv-listings-live-stream-watch-onlineRenato Gonçalves2017-01-11T11:51:58+01:002017-01-11T11:51:58+01:00Barça squad named for Bilbao 2nd leg
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<img alt="Barcelona FC v Al-Ahli Saudi FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NnxhEDSCyeLMBx0owE-OriPgdrM=/0x0:3436x2291/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52693635/629523886.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by AK BijuRaj/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cillessen is back, André Gomes is out</p> <p id="aTiU5j">The next <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> match is upon us! The <em>Blaugrana</em> welcome <a href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/">Athletic Bilbao</a> to Camp Nou for the second leg of the <em>Copa del Rey</em> Round of 16, having to overcome a 2-1 deficit. Coach <span>Luis Enrique</span> has named a squad of 18 players to be in uniform:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IybNXA">
<p id="6FTFKG"><strong>Goalkeepers</strong>: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Jasper Cillessen</p>
<p id="w6rZuj"><strong>Defenders</strong>: 3. Gerard Piqué, 14. <span>Javier Mascherano</span>, 18. <span>Jordi Alba</span>, 19. Lucas Digne, 20. <span>Sergi Roberto</span>, 23. Samuel Umtiti</p>
<p id="nu3A8S"><strong>Midfielders</strong>: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 5. <span>Sergio Busquets</span>, 6. <span>Denis Suarez</span>, 7. Arda Turan, 8. Andrés Iniesta, 12. Rafinha Alcântara</p>
<p id="GYiBCP"><strong>Forwards</strong>: 9. Luis Suárez, 10. <span>Lionel Messi</span>, 11. Neymar Jr., 17. Paco Alcácer</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="JK5gP0">
<p id="x9qGbi">For the first time since September, Luis Enrique had all 22 players available after dealing with plenty of injuries in the first half of the season. Backup goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen returns and is expected to start as the Cup goalkeeper, while Jordi Masip, Aleix Vidal, Jérémy Mathieu and André Gomes miss out per the coach's decision. Ivan Rakitic, linked with a departure from Camp Nou, is back in the squad.</p>
<p id="Hw57Tq">******</p>
<p id="JHbl8w"><strong>Projected starting lineup (4-3-3)</strong>:</p>
<p id="DDG3nt"><em>Cillessen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9FmZ9R">
<p id="BIYE0f">The match starts at 9:15pm CET / 8:15pm BST (UK) / 3:15pm ET, 12:15pm PT (US) / 1:45am IST (India, next day), and you can join us to follow and comment all the action.</p>
<p id="MScNF7"><strong>VISCA EL BARÇA!</strong></p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/11/14236182/barcelona-athletic-bilbao-copa-del-rey-2017-squad-list-team-newsRenato Gonçalves2017-01-10T21:54:53+01:002017-01-10T21:54:53+01:00Copa: Barça vs Bilbao: Preview
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<img alt="Villarreal CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QP08Ejhz4x7hvfFB_EM0WaUn-T8=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52685451/631236002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Can the Blaugrana secure a place in the quarter-finals?</p> <p id="qNCurh">FC <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> will be looking to overturn a 1-2 deficit tomorrow and book their place in the quarter finals of the 2016-17 Copa del Rey when they welcome Basque Country giants, <a href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/">Athletic Bilbao</a> to the Camp Nou. The Blaugrana slumped to defeat in a controversial, ill-tempered match a week ago in which the referee issued two red cards and arguably missed a couple of clear-cut penalty decisions, but leaving the controversy behind for a moment, there can be no denying that much like the referees, Barcelona must also improve their consistency and focus over the course of the 90 minutes. </p>
<p id="bAKmKj">At San Mames last Thursday, all it took was four minutes of sloppy defending for Athletic Bilbao to race into a 2-0 goal lead, a margin that proved to be insurmountable despite the Blaugrana’s best efforts. While it certainly would have been helpful to have some of the questionable decisions go our way, we could do ourselves a lot of favours if we cut some of these amateurish mistakes out of our collective game.</p>
<p id="5dwP18">Given the improvement in the general quality of teams in La Liga over the past few seasons, these mistakes are proving more and more costly. Affording teams like Athletic Bilbao with the kind of opportunities that we presented them with last week simply isn’t good enough anymore, because they possess the skill and the star-power needed to give us cause for regret. </p>
<p id="jSe1Kq">That being said, the past is firmly behind us, and barring some scientific breakthrough being discovered and licensed only for usage by FC Barcelona staff and players, there is nothing we can do to change that. Instead, the focus must be on the future – and in that respect, Barcelona aren’t really in all that bad a position at all.</p>
<p id="y0sjLE">Admittedly, we could be faring better in La Liga, but sustaining a challenge for a treble is hard work; in the Copa del Rey we are just six games away from the trophy, and in the UEFA Champions League the magic number is seven. The good thing about two-legged knockout competitions is that you don’t even need to win all your matches to lift the trophy; and if you break it down like that, I see no reason why the Blaugrana’s chances of a successful season have diminished irreparably in the past couple of months.</p>
<p id="EnAt4s">For all those Culés with New Year’s Resolutions, you might be aware that the best way to achieve a larger, more difficult goal is to break it down into smaller, achievable goals. Well, for FC Barcelona, the first step is defeating Athletic tomorrow and progressing to the next stage. Avoiding some of the complexities that the away goals rule brings, all that essentially means is a win tomorrow evening.</p>
<p id="GbAyLy">In other words, let’s not abandon hope just yet.</p>
<p id="uF4EtB"><strong>TEAM NEWS</strong></p>
<p id="fgiqjp"><strong>BARCELONA</strong></p>
<p id="SXgaYU">From a team news perspective, there’s very little to report. If you believe the experts close to the club, you will be aware that Ivan Rakitic’s omission from the squad this past weekend was related to a number of niggling injuries that the Croatian midfielder has been carrying, and is not an indication that he is being managed out of the club. As such, it may be worthwhile keeping an eye out for the squad list for tomorrow’s match, as Rakitic could well be rested again if Enrique deems it to be necessary.</p>
<p id="oaiMC8">Aside from the unconfirmed injury reports surrounding Rakitic, there’s no new news to report. Jeremy Mathieu is back, but is unlikely to break into the rotation for a match like this, while the midfield roulette is likely to continue with Andre Gomes, <span>Denis Suarez</span>, Rafinha Alcantara and perhaps Rakitic fighting it out for the right to play alongside Andres Iniesta and <span>Sergio Busquets</span>. </p>
<p id="DcY4MO">Elsewhere, a lack of form is unlikely to threaten the starting positions of both Luis Suarez and Neymar; Enrique seems intent to play them until they work through their lack of productivity, and I don’t think that’s a bad idea. In the case of Neymar, dropping him may be more likely to impact his confidence, which would likely have a detrimental impact on his performances when he inevitably returns to the team; and at the moment, he is still working hard and contributing in other ways, even if his efforts are not reflected on the scoresheet.</p>
<p id="GXaHfa"><strong>ATHLETIC BILBAO</strong></p>
<p id="Z8aZme">The obvious news to report is that both Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe will be suspended for this return leg after their red cards at San Mames. Markel Susaeta and Javier Eraso are likely replacements for Garcia, while Benat should replace Iturraspe in the heart of midfield. Otherwise, we should expect a similar line-up and a similar approach from Ernesto Valerde’s side; as the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke…</p>
<p id="xRJPme"><strong>FORM GUIDE</strong></p>
<p id="L950gq">Barcelona: WWWWLD</p>
<p id="4vHwPJ">Athletic: DLWWWD</p>
<p id="HOkrVs"><strong>LAST MEETING</strong></p>
<p id="pNmGol">Athletic Bilbao 2-1 FC Barcelona – 5<sup>th</sup> January 2017 – Copa del Rey</p>
<p id="Lt4STW">Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams appeared to give Athletic Bilbao one foot in the quarter finals, before a second-half goal from <span>Lionel Messi</span> handed the Blaugrana a vital away goal.</p>
<p id="wAc9GP"><strong>LIKELY LINE-UPS</strong></p>
<p id="kUEEW9">Barcelona (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Denis, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar</p>
<p id="ew2zep">Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz; Boveda, Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga; Benat, San Jose; Williams, Eraso, Muniain; Aduriz</p>
<p id="dLXjr5"><strong>MATCH PREDICTION</strong></p>
<p id="1CfQpA">Keep the faith – 3-1 Barcelona.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2017/1/10/14230228/2017-copa-del-rey-barcelona-athletic-bilbao-team-news-previewArron Duckling