Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club: Match Statistics
Joan LaPorta’s smiling smile was still somehow visible from behind her face mask, as Barcelona’s proud new president watched the first trophy of his second reign on a huge night for the club in Seville.
Lionel Messi struck twice after goals from Antoine Griezmann and Frenki de Jong as the athletic club beat the athletic club 4–0 to claim a record 31st Copa del Rey, and a finish by Valencia in 2019. Seeing his bid for five in a row. .
But this is the King’s Cup and it once again belongs to Barcelona – or perhaps more accurately, Messi.
The regal Argentina made a regal appearance, stepping back from last weekend’s disappointing Clásico performance Copa became the all-time record goalscorer with 10 in the final, as he lifted the trophy for the seventh time.
However it was an excellent team performance. Bara did not add just one more trophy to his vast collection; He put on an exhibition of force that dodges well for the remainder of his Liga title challenge – and beyond.
While Atletico Madrid are collapsing and Real Madrid have an ever shrinking squad, Barcelona showed that they are already on their Clasico setback, which could be a big morale setback and sent the cash-striped club into a spiral .
Under-fire Ronald Koeman maintained confidence in his 3-5-2 system and made some bold selection calls, which paid off, as the Categans beat Basque opponents in the same style as their final win of 2015 over Athletic at Camp Nou .
Gerrard Pique came on for Ronald Arrujo after Uruguay’s sluggish performance in Real Madrid, and the Spaniard excelled despite playing only one game in the last seven weeks.
It was an impressive semi-final against Sevilla, and he was equally impressive here, twice on his own against Inky Williams in the same position.
The athletic striker lit up Peak last time and left him a year earlier in a match between the sides, but there was only one winner.
Griezmann was Komen’s other gamble, with compatriot Osman Dembélé selected, and it turned out to be a good call, despite the Frenchman scoring a big lapse with a 0–0 score.
The former Atletico man picked himself up and managed to break the deadlock, turning home Frankie de Jong.
Komen was not the only Dutchman who came out of the struggle looking good, looking at LaPorta.
The coach showed in the last, that he could guide Barcelona to victory in a big game – and a convincing win over it – while the versatile Netherlands international De Jong proved that he was in his favorite midfield role.
Initially bought to fill Sergio Busquets’ position, de Jong denied playing further, as he did against Athletic, scoring one goal and two assists.
In recent weeks, however, he had to return to rescue due to injuries elsewhere, but, in the future, it should only be an emergency measure. He has a lot to offer from an aggressive point of view.
After making the opener for Griezmann, Jordan Alba’s skillful teased cross made a second home run, before he took over as de Jong Messi.
The Raiders’ first goal missed her 2015 solo work against Athletic, except this time she played a one-two game with De Jong in the build-up.
At the age of 33, Messi can’t do it all himself and needs teammates on his wavelength. The win was about proving to him that he still had a supporting cast in Barcelona; That these associates are not only talented, but also mentally strong.
Barcelona have banged in big matches this season and young players in the team, such as Oscar Minguiza and Pedri Gonzalez, have stepped in here. He could become Messi’s need for his side in the coming seasons.
The gifted number 10 is yet to decide whether his future lies beyond this summer in Barcelona, when his contract expires, but this win would have increased his chances of survival.
It was a victory that suggested making something in Barcelona. They found themselves again, even though they are not yet ready for war with Europe’s elite, as given by their Champions League in the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
However, it was an evening where it was all right for Barcelona, the kind of night where the painful defeats of recent years melted away, ending with ticker tape drifting into the sky and Messi holding yet another trophy Were.
No wonder Laporta was smiling from ear to ear under that mask.
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