Barcelona's recovery takes a dent in Bilbao
A resurgent Barcelona are the visitors to the Basque country where Athletic Bilbao play hosts on Wednesday night in La Liga. The world giants are starting to put a good run of form together after a decidedly erratic opening to their 2020/2021 campaign, and now find themselves on the periphery of the Champions League places with a game in hand on the likes of fierce rivals Real Madrid and Villareal in the position above them. Los Leones have plodded along without too much drama, good or bad, but with the away side missing four definite starters, they have a shot at taking some of the momentum out of Ronald Koeman's outfit. Read our preview here:
He's got the Iñaki
Whilst never a prolific goalscorer in his senior career to date, tricky forward Iñaki Williams has been a mainstay at Bilbao for seven years, surviving numerous tactical and managerial changes during that spell. Seasoned new head coach Marcelino García Toral will be hoping to coax a little more productivity out of both him and the team in general for a tilt at a Europa League spot in the second half of the season. The versatility of Williams has consistently been a huge feather in his cap, and allows him to operate as an out-and-out-striker in the now rarely seen 4-4-2. Whether that shape will become the dominant one is anyone's guess, but they simply require more creativity and finishing throughout the ranks; the paucity has been turning draws into defeats, but the pairing of Mikel Vesga and Dani García in midfield is tantamount to a double pivot, and have been largely successful in stifling more fancied players and opposition. Their efficacy will doubtlessly send Barça wide, which is a double-edged strategy.
Now or never for Dembélé
Ansu Fati's absence provides more opportunities for Ousmane Dembélé to belatedly make his mark in the famous blue and red. The 23 year old French winger has constantly had to deal with the enormous transfer fee paid out for his services in the utterly shambolic and wasteful scramble to 'replace' Neymar. The forward line in general have suffered collectively since, although the emergence of Fati is a bright spot. Dembélé has many plusses to his game, but defensive contributions aren't one of them. Jordi Alba will likely overlap down his flank, and on the other, American Sergiño Dest will continue to stake his own claim for a more permanent spot with Sergi Roberto out. The youngster is extremely weak in the air, and could well be targeted by Bilbao in the moments they do have command of possession.
Whither are they bound?
Naturally, Barcelona are very strong favourites to win, and any side still containing Leo Messi and Antoine Griezmann in their lineup will almost always be so. However, neither of those two or Dembélé are wont to help out in defensive situations, and more tellingly, no other area of the pitch do they have formidable foundations, either. The current crop aren't infallible, as they've already ably demonstrated this season. The pressure to win and gain trophies is seldom ever on the shoulders of Bilbao, partly because of their infamous and unique transfer policy. That doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, and they can start off García Toral's reign is some style by limiting their illustrious adversaries to a mere share of the spoils. Betfair are offering odds of 3.90 for a draw at the San Mamés Stadium, and every single match Barcelona don't win is another black mark against Koeman, and another nail in the coffin of their title pursuit.
