FC Barcelona secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at San Mamés in the first leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie. The Catalan giants now have one foot in the quarterfinals, with a well-earned lead to take back to Camp Nou for the second leg. Barcelona controlled the game for large spells, with goals from Robert Lewandowski in each half ensuring they would leave the Basque Country with a two-goal cushion.
The match was a test of both Barcelona’s tactical discipline and their ability to handle the pressure in a hostile environment. Athletic Club, known for their intense high press and physical style of play, looked to impose themselves early, but Barcelona’s technical quality, combined with a clinical performance from their star striker Lewandowski, proved to be the difference.
First Half: Barcelona Assert Dominance Early
From the first whistle, it was evident that Barcelona’s approach was to dictate the game with possession and intelligent ball movement. Xavi Hernández, as always, encouraged his players to maintain control in midfield and build their attacks from the back. Despite facing a high press from Athletic Club, the visitors displayed composure in possession, particularly through Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi, who controlled the tempo of the game with ease.
The first real chance of the match came after 10 minutes when Raphinha, who was causing problems down the right flank, sent in a dangerous cross. Lewandowski was in the perfect position to connect with the ball, but his header was narrowly off target. It was a sign of things to come as Barcelona continued to look the more dangerous side, constantly finding space in the final third.
Barcelona’s persistence paid off in the 15th minute. After a sustained period of pressure, Raphinha once again delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. This time, Lewandowski made no mistake, rising above the Athletic defenders to head the ball past goalkeeper Unai Simón. The Polish striker’s header was a textbook finish, showcasing his aerial prowess and clinical nature. It was a goal that came at the perfect time, giving Barcelona the lead and forcing Athletic Club to come out of their shell.
In response, Athletic Club intensified their pressing, hoping to catch Barcelona on the back foot. Iñaki Williams, the club’s star forward, was particularly active, trying to use his pace to stretch Barcelona’s defense. In the 25th minute, Williams found himself through on goal after a misplaced pass by Barcelona, but Marc-André ter Stegen was quick off his line to deny the striker with a well-timed save. It was a key moment in the match, as Athletic’s best chance of the first half was squandered.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession, with the midfield trio of Busquets, De Jong, and Gavi pulling the strings. Ansu Fati, who was deployed on the left wing, looked lively, combining well with Lewandowski and Raphinha. However, despite the dominance, Barcelona were unable to add to their lead before the break. Athletic did manage to create a few more half-chances, but the Barcelona defense, marshaled by Gerard Piqué, held firm, ensuring that their advantage remained intact going into the second half.
Second Half: Lewandowski Strikes Again
The second half saw a more determined Athletic Club side, knowing that a goal would bring them right back into the tie. They started the half with more intensity, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. However, their attacking efforts left them vulnerable to counter-attacks, and Barcelona were more than capable of exploiting the spaces left by their high defensive line.
In the 58th minute, Barcelona delivered the knockout blow. A swift counter-attack began with a superb pass from De Jong to Raphinha, who was surging forward on the right wing. The Brazilian winger controlled the ball with great precision before picking out Lewandowski in the center. The striker, who had already opened the scoring earlier in the match, made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past Simón to double Barcelona’s lead. It was a classic counter-attacking goal, demonstrating Barcelona’s ability to absorb pressure and then punish their opponents with devastating efficiency.
Athletic, now trailing by two goals, struggled to find a way through Barcelona’s well-organized defense. Piqué and Éric García were resolute in dealing with the physicality of Athletic’s attack, and Ter Stegen, who had been largely untroubled in the first half, remained alert when called upon. The home side continued to press, but their efforts were increasingly frantic, with little reward for their persistence.
As the match wore on, Xavi made several substitutions to help his side maintain control. Pedri was introduced to provide fresh energy in midfield, while Jordi Alba came on to add solidity in defense. These changes helped Barcelona see out the remainder of the game comfortably, with Athletic unable to mount any serious challenge in the final stages. The match ended 2-0, and Barcelona’s job was halfway done.
Looking Ahead: Job Half Done
With a two-goal advantage, Barcelona head into the second leg at Camp Nou with a strong position to progress. The result was a well-earned one, but coach Xavi was quick to remind his players that there is still work to be done. “We have done half the job, but there is still another 90 minutes to play,” he said in his post-match interview. “We must stay focused and not underestimate Athletic Club. They are a tough team, and we know the second leg will be difficult, especially with the atmosphere at Camp Nou. We will need to be at our best to finish the job.”
Barcelona’s performance in this match was an excellent demonstration of their tactical maturity. Xavi’s side were patient in possession, clinical when needed, and defensively solid. The standout performer was Lewandowski, whose two goals were crucial to the victory, but the overall team performance was impressive. From the midfield control to the defensive resilience, Barcelona showcased the qualities that have made them such a formidable side under Xavi’s management.
Despite the strong result, Barcelona will not take their opponents lightly in the second leg. Athletic Club will no doubt be buoyed by their passionate supporters at Camp Nou, and with a two-goal deficit to overcome, they will come out all guns blazing. However, if Barcelona can replicate the performance they delivered in the first leg, they will be in a strong position to seal their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
