Robert Lewandowski shrugged off a string of missed alternatives to earn Barcelona a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga. The 36-year-old striker twice hit the woodwork, amongst different wasted possibilities, however stored his cool to fit residence a Seventy fifth-minute winner for the Catalan giants. Teenage starlet Lamine Yamal put Barcelona forward with a deflected effort however Oihan Sancet pulled Athletic degree from the penalty spot earlier than half-time. Lewandowski’s strike earned Barcelona their second win from two league matches underneath new coach Hansi Flick.
“Particularly within the first half he might have scored one or two targets… however ultimately it is a aim getter, a striker, who scores targets,” Flick instructed reporters.
“The second aim was the winner, three factors, excellent.”
The previous Germany and Bayern Munich boss had hoped to utilise new arrival Dani Olmo however with Barcelona unable to register him due to their monetary difficulties, the previous RB Leipzig playmaker might solely watch from the stands.
Pedri began in midfield after damage, together with 17-year-old Spain star Yamal, who shared a joke together with his compatriot Nico Williams, a Barcelona goal this summer time.
The winger is ready to stick with Athletic this season and a few Barcelona followers whistled him throughout his participating battle with Jules Kounde.
Barcelona drew first blood, with Yamal’s effort from the sting of the field deflecting residence off Inigo Lekue’s head.
“I am very completely happy for the win, it is necessary to win at residence,” Yamal instructed DAZN.
“(For my aim) I noticed a little bit of house, I noticed Nico coming, who shouldn’t be very intense relating to defending, and when I discovered the house, I shot.”
Williams whipped a harmful cross inches extensive of the far publish on the different finish as Athletic threatened.
Barca striker Lewandowski, who netted twice at Valencia of their La Liga opener, struck the publish after extra good work by Yamal and Raphinha.
Athletic pulled degree shortly earlier than the break when younger centre-back Pau Cubarsi clumsily fouled Alejandro Berenguer within the space.
Sancet despatched Marc-Andre ter Stegen the unsuitable manner from the penalty spot to ship the groups in tied on the break.
Polish veteran Lewandowski hit the woodwork a second time, heading Raphinha’s free-kick towards the far publish from point-blank vary.
The Brazilian teed up the ahead once more with an inviting cross however Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla made an excellent save.
Barcelona have been turning the screw and received their reward when Lewandowski fired residence his third aim of the marketing campaign within the Seventy fifth minute.
Raphinha performed in Pedri, whose cross was palmed out by Padilla into Lewandowski’s path and this time he made no mistake.
‘You at all times endure’
Barcelona’s victory towards Ernesto Valverde’s Copa del Rey winners is one other morale enhance after their opening day win at Valencia.
Champions Actual Madrid are broadly anticipated to defend their crown after signing Kylian Mbappe however Flick’s Barcelona have made an ideal begin of their bid to grab it again, regardless of varied damage issues.
Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo are amongst those that will return later within the season for Barcelona, whereas Olmo is ready for his probability too.
“These are issues we’ve to simply accept as a result of we can not change it,” continued Flick.
“We knew after we signed for Barca (the monetary state of affairs) shouldn’t be straightforward, (so I) do not take into consideration that. Right this moment we needed three factors and we received it.”
Athletic have only one level from their first two matches.
“You at all times endure whenever you come right here, you understand they’ll take the initiative,” stated former Barca coach Valverde.
“Within the second half they have been stronger in urgent after shedding the ball and so they did not allow us to get out, I feel that was the important thing.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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