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Tag: Athletic Club

Breaking News: Barca Crash Out of Copa Del Rey as Real Madrid Qualify

Posted on by Chirag

Last night the Copa Del Rey had their last matchday of the Round of 16 with both Barcelona and Real Madrid in action simultaneously. 

As the Blancos faced Elche in a comparatively easy encounter as Barcelona went toe to toe with Athletic Club.

Barcelona started out great with the likes of Pedri, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fatti in the mix early on. Ferran Torres also got his first goal for Barcelona after he struck from outside the box with an inward curler for the opening goal of the match. 

Athletic quickly equalised and Pedri took back the lead for Barcelona. However in the 86th minute, the bigger possession and more shots on goals finally paid off as Athletic Club equalised again. With the match in extra time, Athletic Club got lucky as they received a penalty kick.

A controversial decision by the referee gave Athletic a penalty after the ball touched Alba’s arm which seemed unintentional and part of his natural movement. But after the winning goal scored through the penalty, it didn’t matter. Athletic Club had the lead and the time on their side. By this time Barcelona had also lost Fatti to a hamstring injury and eventually lost the match and a chance at the Copa Del Rey title.

Real Madrid had it comparatively easy over in the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium as an early goal by Isco and a very late goal in extra time by Eden Hazard got Real the win and through to the quarter finals.

The First El Clásico Out of Spain; A Preview

Posted on by cbtfhome

With the El Clasico just hours away as the two sides get ready for this epic encounter. This will be the first ever El Clasico to be played outside of Spain. The match will take place in the ever developing nation of Saudi Arabia in the capital of Riyadh.

The 281st El Clasico will take place tonight with the likes of Fatti and Pedri returning for Barcelona.

The Blaugrana called Pedri and Ferran Torres in separately late yesterday to join the training as Barcelona prepare to take on Real Madrid under new manager Xavi.

Ancelotti on the other hand has come out and said that Barcelona are far from them right now in the La liga and thus, not a spot of worry. Now with the two sides meeting in the semi finals of the Supercopa de Espana in a high stakes match, how much focus will Ancoletti have on his Spanish foes.

The second semi final will take place tomorrow as defending La Liga champions Atletico Madrid take on Athletic Club. The winners of these two matches will go on to face each other in a great final match on Sunday, the 16th of January.

The last time these two sides met, was in the La Liga in October, right before Xavi’s full fledged arrival. Barcelona lost to Real Madrid 1-2 at home as the Blaugrana failed to comprehend the level of game Real had.

Now with the slate clean in a new year and a different competition, Barcelona look to take home the finals spot and eventually the first trophy under the Xavi era.