1. Spain

Charles Bourgoin 21/01/2022 00:05 | UPDATED ON 01/21/2022 AT 00:06

Barça lost in Bilbao at the stage of the knockout stages of the King’s Cup (2-3, .ap). One more disappointment for the Catalan club.

Barça, holder of this King’s Cup, would have done well without a trip to San Mamés to defend its property from the round of 16. It’s no secret: the Bilbao stadium is a trap. Especially since the Basque team was certainly inspired by the XXL performance of its neighbor, Real Sociedad, against Atlético de Madrid the day before (2-0). Unsurprisingly, Barcelona suffered as a result. In significant proportions.

Barça did not make the weight

It didn’t take long to see Athletic set the scene. From the second minute of play, the house artist Muniain, served by Nico Williams, showered Barça with a rolled and millimeter shot (1-0, 2nd). In difficulty in the game, Barça then relied on its reinforcement Ferran Torres to resurface. Just landed from Manchester City, the twirling Spanish striker will remember his first goal for a long time, a marvel of brush shot (1-1, 20th).

It was a flash in the night. Because Raul Garcia’s teammates have put their foot back on the accelerator to multiply the waves on the Catalan goal. This same Garcia could have and had to score before halftime if Ter Stegen had not pulled out all the stops (45th). The German goalkeeper was inspired, it should be noted. He had already been employed on an attempt by the stirring Williams (32nd). He was able to benefit from a zest of luck, too, like this center-shooter from Inaki Williams (82nd), but he could not do anything on the point-blank goal from Inigo Martinez, at the end of a mess on which Gérard Piqué was not unforgettable (2-1, 86th).

Although technically mistreated, this Barça has marrow . We must recognize it. On the wire, Xavi’s men managed to snatch the extension after a great action initiated by the eternal Alves, and concluded with character by the prodigy Pedri (2-2, 90th + 3). Dangerous in fits and starts, failing to have a real modus operandi, the Catalan club finally cracked during extra time, with a penalty conceded by Alba and transformed by Muniain (3-2, 105th + 1). Reversed in the Europa League and desperate in La Liga, Barça sees a new trophy fly away.