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The seventh meeting between the Barcelona and Athletic Club in fourteen months (which gives a match between the two every two and a half months) he arrives with an air of revenge at Camp Nou (21.00 hours, Movistar+ LaLiga). In the last match of this series that is becoming classic, the Blaugrana team fell in San Mames 3-2 at the start of the stage Xavi as a coach. The coach himself yesterday reminded him a couple of times in the press room, adding that “this is the last team that beat us.”
That defeat hurt the Blaugrana teambecause he separated the Catalan team from a competition that a year ago was his salvation table in the season, precisely, of course, against Athletic.
Now, with a much better team and in a positive dynamic after the good games against Valencia and NapoliBarça wants to consolidate its takeoff in LaLiga, and incidentally, collect the Cup (Follow today’s game live on As.com).
The Cup also appears on the side of Athletic Club, because For Marcelino’s team it will be difficult to ignore the fact that a crucial match awaits them next Wednesday at Mestalla. The lions play in the opposite field the pass to the final of the competition and They arrive in Valencia with the tie at one of San Mamés. After having eliminated Real Madrid and Barça, reaching the final is an obsessive goal.
Marcelino did not want to give clues as to whether he is going to reserve many players, but logic would indicate that rotations would have to be made. For now he recovers Nico Williams, but the striker will not start. He would be risking a lot and for Wednesday he is a vital piece.
In Barcelona, the atmosphere is optimistic. It depends, where you look, even euphoric. In this last segment would be Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, who spoke again on Thursday about options to conquer LaLiga and left the Stadio Maradona in Naples celebrating the pass to the round of 16 in a big way.
In a less euphoric sector, but within optimism, it is Xavi Hernandez, who congratulates himself for the improvement of the team, but whatYou want to keep your feet on the ground.
The Blaugrana coach has reasons to be happy: his team has recovered its killer instinct. He fifteen goals in the last five games with 65 shots between the three suits.
Also, ahead of today’s match, Xavi recovers Memphis Depay, who was discharged after yesterday’s training. Thus, Barcelona will present an impressive list of forwards to Athletic with Ferran Torres, Adama Traoré, Aubameyang, Luuk de Jong, Dembélé, Braithwaite and Memphis Depay.
Also added to the call is Clément Lenglet, who is also already recovered from his injury, as well as Daniel Alveswho has missed the last four games, two in the League due to suspension after being sent off against Athleticand the two from the tie against Napoli in the Europa League, a competition in which he is not registered.
The one who will not be is Jordi Alba, who completes the card cycle, so Xavi will have to improvise a left back with Dest or play with three central defenders taking advantage of Lenglet’s return.