Thanks to goals from prodigy Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory over Bilbao in La Liga‘s second round.
Final Score: Barcelona 2-1 Bilbao
Goals: Yamal (24’), Lewandowski (75′) – Oihan Sancet (42’-pen)
At the Montjuïc Stadium yesterday, Hansi Flick’s team continued their high pressing game, similar to their 2-1 win over Valencia the previous week. They controlled 66% of the possession and made 13 attempts on goal, with five on target, compared to Bilbao’s nine attempts.
In the 23rd minute, Barcelona took the lead. Euro 2024’s young standout, Yamal, cut in from the left wing and shot towards the far post. Bilbao’s defender attempted to head the ball clear but only altered its trajectory, failing to prevent the goal.
On the other side, Bilbao’s Nico Williams and his brother Inaki Williams had limited opportunities to shine. Barcelona’s defense, featuring Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde, did well to contain the visitors’ stars.
In the 35th minute, Lewandowski nearly doubled Barcelona’s lead. The Polish striker cut in from the left of the penalty area but saw his curling shot hit the post.
Seven minutes after Lewandowski’s missed opportunity, Bilbao equalized unexpectedly. In a tussle inside the penalty area, Cubarsi fell on Alex Berenguer’s leg, resulting in a penalty for the visitors. Oihan Sancet converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1.
Despite the setback before halftime, Barcelona remained composed. After the break, the hosts increased the pressure on Bilbao’s defense. Winger Raphinha delivered several quality moments, creating scoring chances. In the 56th minute, Lewandowski’s header from a Raphinha free-kick hit the post, and in the 71st minute, Lewandowski missed another chance from a Raphinha cross, with the shot saved by goalkeeper Alex Padilla.
Barcelona continued to exploit Bilbao’s right flank, and in the 75th minute, Lewandowski finally scored. Raphinha initiated the play with a through ball to Pedri on the left side of the penalty area. After Padilla saved Pedri’s cross, Lewandowski finished the rebound to seal the 2-1 victory.
This was Lewandowski’s third goal in two La Liga games this season. In the previous match, the 36-year-old Polish striker scored both goals against Valencia. Lewandowski is regaining his top form from his Bayern Munich days under Flick, where he scored 55 goals in 47 matches for the 2019-2020 season and 48 goals in 40 matches for the 2020-2021 season.
Starting Lineups:
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde (Martin 90′), Bernal (Eric Garcia 83′), Pedri, Yamal (Pau Victor 90′), Torres (Fermin 63′), Raphinha, Lewandowski
Bilbao: Padilla, Lekue, Yeray, Vivian, Berchiche, Prados (Ander Herrera 78′), Vesga (Jauregizar 63′), Sancet (Unai Gomez 62′), Nico Williams, Berenguer (Adu Ares 72′), Inaki Williams (Guruzeta 78′)