En the start of a new project, in the midst of the effervescence of a promising batch of young people, clinging to certain ties from the past is not consistent with that idea of renewal. And even more so when those threads, eroded by time, show a tremendously detrimental weakness for the Bara.
Copa del Rey (Eighth): Summary and goals of Athletic 3-2 Barcelona
It is the case of Jordi Alba, who signed one of his darkest nights in San Mamés. He was surpassed by the brothers Williams, especially for Nico, and sealed his lousy game with a penalty that condemned Bara to elimination. The side has been in the photo too many times in recent years not to consider that it is time for the left-handed lane to change hands.
Muniain does everything
Goal by Muniain (1-0) in Athletic 3-2 Barcelona
A minute late Iker Muniain to draw an authentic work of art in San Mams. In a play where Nico portrait first a Jordi Alba, the captain of the Basque team resolved the play with a wonderful Vaseline that no one expected. It was just the beginning of a recital that led him to complete a game to remember and score the qualifying goal. As Yeray said, the captain “feeds” this Athletic.
Ferran is another level
Goal by Ferran Torres (1-1) in Athletic 3-2 Barcelona
The game in San Mams was going for great goals, so Bara responded to Muniain’s bombshell with another beautifully crafted goal. Did Ferran Torres, on his first shot, to show that its performance is immediate and that he is a top level player, in case anyone doubted it.
Alba cries out for a replacement
Bara walks behind a left side, a sign that Xavi Hernndez has detected the problem he has in that lane with Jordi Alba. His quality is still there, but the years do not forgive and the physique does not give him to close that lane well when he has to dance with someone fast and vertical. Nico Williams put it out there too many times. He accumulated mistakes until he made the most decisive of the game, sticking his arm out where it shouldn’t.
Bara can already count on Ter Stegen
Doubt had hovered over the figure of the German goalkeeper during the first third of the season. In recent dates, Ter Stegen seems to have raised the level. The prodigious hand in Mallorca was followed in San Mams by another intervention of great merit before a header from Ral García at close range. It is this type of appearances that was missing in the Barça goalkeeper.
The drama of Ansu Fati
Almost as bad as the elimination was the Ansu Fati’s new injury for this Bara. The footballer called to make a difference in this new stage does not leave one and enter another. The striker reached for the back of his thigh at the start of extra time and left San Mamés in tears. It will be difficult for Ansu to recover, not physically, but also psychologically.
