BARCELONA.- He FC Barcelona won 2-0 at home Athletic Club this Thursday in a postponed match from the first day of LaLigathus rising to first place in the Spanish championship.
The current league champion scored its second consecutive victory, in as many games, thanks to the goals of Raphinha (37′) and Fermin Lopez (82′) in a match in which the world champion had his first minutes as a Barça player Rodrigo Hernandez “Rodri”.
The victory allows the Blaugranas to occupy first place in the league, tied at 6 points with the Real Madrid, Seville and Betisbut with a better goal difference.
Barcelona had control of the match, although it took them a while to find a way to score against an Athletic Club that was trying to put pressure, but was overwhelmed by the Catalans’ passes between the lines.
The young man Lamine Yamal had the first with a shot from the front, but the goalkeeper Unai Simon He opposed a saving hand (19′) and would also win a one-on-one (41′).
The Spanish international goalkeeper was one of the heroes of his team, avoiding a bigger advantage against him.
Raphinha leads the way
Another header from Raphinha to the post (24′) was the prelude to the goal, when the Brazilian winger received a deep ball to score in a one-on-one with Simón (37′).
While Barça continues to search for a center forward, Raphinha has become the reference for the Barça attack.
“It doesn’t matter what position Raphinha plays, as captain he has a total commitment to this team,” said the Barça coach. Hansi Flickafter the game.
The Brazilian has accumulated three goals in two games, like his teammate Fermín, making them equal with Real Madrid’s French striker. Kylian Mbappéas top scorers in the Spanish championship.
After the goal, Barcelona increased its intensity by one point and after the break became absolute master of the ball with Pedri managing the game.
Yamal, who did not have much luck in front of the goal, tried again with a shot that hit the crossbar (53′).
Simón had to appear again to clear a hard shot from Anthony Gordon (59′), who was another of Barcelona’s most unbalanced men.
The English winger was a real dagger on the left wing, managing to partner well with Raphinha, who in the 63rd minute left the field of play for Rodri to enter in his debut for Barça.
“I am very happy to play my first game with Barcelona,” Rodri said after the challenge to DAZN, insisting that “it is important to pick up the pace, adapt to this great team.”
Fermín closes the account
Athletic Club, which had only shown small flashes of danger in some arrival of Nico Williams had his best opportunity when Oihan Sancet He unleashed a hard shot that hit the post (75′).
The Basque team tried to go further in the final minutes of the match until Fermín, who had already tested Simón, found the second goal.
Karim Adeyemiwho had just come out onto the field, crossed into the area, where the Athletic defender, Aymeric Laportemade a bad clearance, leaving the ball in the goal area for Fermín to make it 2-0 (82′).
The goal was the finishing touch for Athletic Club, which suffered its second consecutive defeat in the Spanish championship.
Before, the Osasuna had come back in the stadium Bleated to win 2-1 at Celtic.
The Galician team took the lead with a goal from Iago Aspas (14′), but accused the subsequent expulsion of Marcos Alonso.
Osasuna took advantage of their numerical superiority to win with a goal. Kike Barjas (54′) and a penalty goal from Budimir (64′).
