Barcelona is already very close to a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a huge quarter-final first leg 2-1 win on the road against Athletic Bilbao, thanks to goals from Munir El-Haddadi and Neymar Jr. Aritz Aduriz scored for Bilbao. Without Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba, the Blaugrana played a good team game, surviving the tough environment at San Mamés and leaving the Basque Country with a key result.
FIRST HALF
The initial minutes were just as expected, with the hosts high pressing Barça's buildup play and forcing the Blaugranes into long balls to the forwards. Getting the ball back quickly, Athletic were dangerous in the attacking plays, but could not actually turn that pressure into chances.
A patient and efficient Barça side took advantage. Ivan Rakitic combined with Arda Turan, and the pass from the Turkish found a giant gap for the Croatian to run. Rakitic then played a fantastic cross to Munir, who scored the opener with a nice finish in the box.
Just five minutes later, another passing sequence, this time by Andrés Iniesta and Sergi Roberto, ended up giving Neymar a chance to fight for the ball with goalkeeper Iago Herrerín, who in a desperate attempt to clear the ball away, missed it entirely, and the Brazilian capitalized on that lucky break to give Barça a two-goal lead.
Before halftime, Bilbao went forward and the game got very physical, with plenty of hard fouls. But at the end of the half, the Blaugranes had a huge advantage, and just needed to control the score.
SECOND HALF
That's what happened. The second half saw much less action, especially from the Blaugrana, determined to keep the score as it was. Athletic were uninspired and out of confidence, unable to create any danger for the Catalan defense.
On the other end, Neymar was confronted by hard challenges from the Bilbao defenders, and didn't see much of the ball either. But with his job in the first half, he was content to not get involved in any sort of disarray with the opposition.
But just two minutes before the end of the game, Bilbao got a glimpse of hope. A poor play by Dani Alves ended up with the ball falling nicely to Aduriz, who easily finished with his left foot to bring the visitors back.
in the end, an important win away from home missing key starters. That's all that mattered.
Athletic Club: Herrerín; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Lekue; Iturraspe, Beñat (San José); Susaeta (Muniain), Eraso (Sabin), Williams; Aduriz
Goal: Aduriz (89')
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Roberto (Adriano); Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Arda (Vidal), Munir (Sandro), Neymar
Goals: Munir (18'), Neymar (24')
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