FC Barcelona aim to impress at home against Athletic Club after flying start under Flick
FC Barcelona host Athletic Club at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday 24 August at 18:00 (GMT+1), looking to secure a second consecutive La Liga victory under new head coach Hansi Flick.
Flick hits the ground running with comeback win over Valencia
German head coach Hansi Flick could hardly have asked for a better La Liga debut in charge of FC Barcelona. Last weekend, the Blaugrana beat Valencia 2-1 in an impressive comeback. Valencia appeared to be heading for victory when Hugo Duro headed home in the 44th minute, but Robert Lewandowski broke the visitors' hearts with a breathtaking quick-fire double: first in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, then from the penalty spot in the 49th minute. Flick claimed his first competitive win with Barcelona, lifting the club to second place in La Liga, level on points with leaders Celta Vigo.
Impressive home record against the Basques
The statistics firmly favour the Catalans when it comes to home fixtures against Athletic Club in La Liga. Barcelona have gone 22 consecutive home league matches unbeaten against the Basque club, boasting a record of 19 wins, 3 draws and not a single home defeat. What's more, Barcelona have found the net in each of their last 39 home league fixtures against Athletic Club, totalling a remarkable 108 goals. The visitors also arrive with a vulnerable defence, having conceded no fewer than 15 goals in their last eight matches. Barcelona, meanwhile, are in red-hot form in La Liga, having won five consecutive league games — the final four of last season plus the opening match of this campaign against Valencia.
Expected Barcelona line-up: familiar 4-3-3 with Lewandowski leading the line
Flick is expected to stick with his trusted 4-3-3 system, with Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha forming the attacking trio. Dani Olmo, who has yet to play a single minute for the club, will not be available for Saturday's match. Meanwhile, İlkay Gündoğan has left the club on a free transfer to return to his former side Manchester City, where he played last season before joining Barcelona.
Athletic Club looking to bounce back after disappointing opening day
Athletic Club arrive in Barcelona following a frustrating start to the season. Last week, the Red and Whites drew 1-1 with Getafe on the opening matchday, leaving the club sitting in sixteenth place. Oihan Sancet put Athletic Club ahead after 27 minutes with a curling strike from 24 metres, but Ernesto Valverde's side were unable to hold on for the win. The head-to-head record makes for grim reading for the visitors: in the last 21 meetings with Barcelona, Athletic Club have won just once, with four draws and sixteen defeats. Valverde is expected to set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gorka Guruzeta leading the attack.
Match Facts
Related
Source: Sportmonks
Comments
- Be the first to comment.