Lewandowski Leads Barcelona to Victory Over Athletic in El Clasico

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A tense showdown at Montjuïc once again favored the Catalans.

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Barcelona Edges Out Athletic 2-1 in Montjuïc Showdown

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In the context of Spanish football, the term El Clasico is well known. However, it’s often necessary to remind everyone that this term refers not only to the eternal rivalry between Catalan Barcelona and Madrid's Real Madrid, but also to other matchups. Of course, when one of these teams faces another club that has never left the country's "elite" division — the Basque Athletic Club.

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At such an early stage of the season, in the second round, a clash between the "blaugranas" and the "lions" took place at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium, also known as Montjuïc. The Basques brought with them only one point after their home match against Getafe, while the Catalans had endured a tough match in Valencia but returned home with all three points (2:1).

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Robert Lewandowski Delivers Winning Goal as Barcelona Defeats Athletic

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No one guaranteed an easy game for Flick's team in this encounter, which was quite obvious, as the Basques are not a team that easily gives away points to their opponents. However, this time, Valverde's tactical approach was somewhat too cautious, and the "lions" allowed Barcelona too much ball control with their relatively low block.

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Meanwhile, with a new coach at the helm, the "blaugranas" are playing a more vertical style of football. When your team constantly has the ball at their feet, it’s a gift from the opponents, not their tactical prudence. Barcelona tried to play as simply as possible, but not without flair — Rafinha’s backheel shot in flight was a very bright example of the latter, although it went straight to the goalkeeper.

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Barcelona Clinches Victory Against Athletic with Lewandowski’s Goal

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Ultimately, the hosts’ approach worked, and midway through the first half, they took the lead when third-choice goalkeeper Padilla punched the ball away during a set-piece delivery, after which he received a mediocre-quality follow-up shot from Yamal from distance. However, Lekue headed the ball so poorly that the opponent’s shot went much faster and precisely under the crossbar. A goal from a scramble, just as we expected to see in this game.

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Barcelona caught fire, which was also expected, and tried to immediately score a second goal. However, the Polish goal machine seemed to lose his luck, and his shots continually hit the posts of the goal, both after the break. Meanwhile, the Basques had a single attack, made a cross from the right flank, Kubarsi fouled Berenguer in the penalty area with a tackle, and VAR, followed by Sunset, did not forgive his team for the penalty.

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El Clasico Drama: Barcelona Tops Athletic with 2-1 Victory

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Being in a level game situation was nothing new for Flick’s team, so it was not a surprise for them or the visitors. However, in the second half, Athletic showed very poor attacking play, and merely defending was not very successful for Valverde’s team, especially away from home.

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With Lewandowski’s moments, it was evident that a second goal for Barcelona was near, but reaching it required overcoming a series of unsuccessful passes into the penalty area and overall significant physical exertion. However, the Pole did score on the 75th minute, when a rebound from Badilla in the center of the penalty area during a cross from Pedri from the left flank made it almost unacceptable not to score. In the end, another tense success for Flick in Spain, where everything seems to work against him.

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In the next round, Catalan Barcelona will play away against Madrid's Rayo Vallecano, while Basque Athletic will host Valencia.

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Barcelona — Athletic 2:1

Goals: Yamal, 24, Lewandowski, 75 — Sunset, 42 (pen.)

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Barcelona: ter Stegen — Koundé, Kubarsi, Martínez, Balde (Martín, 90) — Pedri (Fermín, 62), Bernal (E. García, 83) — Yamal (Víctor, 90+1), Rafinha, Torres — Lewandowski.

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Athletic: Padilla — Lekue, Vivian, Álvarez, Berriche — Vesga (Jauregi, 63), Prados (Herrera, 79) — Berenguer (Ares, 72), Sunset (U. Gómez, 63), N. Williams — I. Williams (Guruseta, 78).

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Yellow Cards: Kubarsi, Bernal, Lewandowski, Fermín — Álvarez, Berenguer, Lekue, Jauregi, Herrera

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