Memphis' Stunner Rescues Shaky Barca
22 August, 2021
Memphis Depay's impressive finish in the second half rescued a point for FC Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona
Date: 21 August 2021
Venue: San Mames
Ronald Koeman went with the same starting line-up that got the business done against Real Sociedad last weekend, while Inigo Lekue came in for Oscar De Marcos as Bilbao's only change.
Martin Braithwaite continued up top for the visitors and he should have broken the deadlock on six minutes when Memphis' cross fell into his path, but the striker sent his effort well over the target.
Bilbao went even closer after 11 minutes when Oihan Sancet rattled the crossbar with a neat turn and shot in the box after the Barcelona defence were caught napping.
Koeman, meanwhile, was forced into a first-half change as veteran defender Gerard Pique was unable to continue and had to make way for Ronald Araújo on 31 minutes.
Araujo thought he had gifted Barcelona the lead on the stroke of halftime with an acrobatic effort, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala in the build-up.
However, it was the home side who got the opening goal five minutes after the restart as Inigo Martinez lost his marker to head home a corner at the near post.
The Catalans pushed for a response and they went agonisingly close on 73 minutes when Frenkie de Jong's delicate lob hit the upright with Agirrezabala.
The visitors got their reward two minutes later when Sergi Roberto played in Memphis, who took one touch before volleying the ball into the roof of the net for his first league goal.
Memphis was then presented with a chance to secure the winning goal with four minutes left on the clock but the Dutch winger dragged his effort wide of the mark.
The visitors finished the game with 10 men after Eric Garcia was shown a straight red card for bringing down Nico Williams, who was through on goal although the hosts were unable to convert the free-kick as the clash ended 1-1.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za