At 4:30 a.m. Beijing time on January 25, the 2023-24 Spanish Copa del Rey 1/4 finals: Athletic Bilbao VS Barcelona.
The Spanish Super Cup final was defeated by Real Madrid and missed the championship, and the prospects for the La Liga title are not optimistic, as for the Champions League, it is even more uncertain, and the Copa del Rey is undoubtedly the only event that Barcelona has any hope of winning this season.
But Athletic Bilbao is not good, currently ranked fifth in the La Liga standings, with 1 more game and the same points as the fourth-place Atletico Madrid, and its coach was Valverde, who was still at the top level in Europe with Barcelona at the time but was sacked, and naturally there will be no mercy for his former disciple Xavi.
Not as well-known, but in terms of ability as a coach, Valverde is definitely above Xavi.
Let's take a look at the starting line-ups of both sides.
Barcelona started the 433 formation, Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Yamal formed the forward trident, midfielders Pedri, Frankie Deron, and Gundogan, and the back four Balde, Christensen, Araujo, and Kounde, and goalkeeper Peña.
The starting eleven is worth a total of 530 million euros. Xavi has sent all the main players he can to send up, and it is clear that he hopes to make it to the end in the Copa del Rey.
Athletic Bilbao started the 4231 formation, center Guruzeta, Nico, Sanshet, Ares in the forward line, Besga and Prados in the double back, Berchiche, Paredes, Vivian, Leco, and goalkeeper Aguirre Zavala. The starting eleven is worth a total of 150 million euros.
In less than 1 minute of the opening game, Athletic Bilbao's attack, Barcelona's defense was in a hurry and caught off guard, and Guruzeta scored a goal. Athletic Bilbao leads Barcelona 1-0.
In the 26th minute, Ferran Torres slashed, Pedri didn't follow up well, Berchi cleared the ball and kicked Lewandowski's foot and bounced into the goal. Barcelona 1:1 Athletic Bilbao.
In the 32nd minute, Kounde made a wonderful pass, and Yamal scored a goal. Barcelona 2:1 Athletic Bilbao.
In the 49th minute, Nico Williams made a wonderful pass, and Sanshet scored with a header. Athletic Bilbao 2:2 Barcelona.
When regular time came, the two sides were tied 2:2 and went into extra time. In the stoppage time of the first half of extra time, Barcelona made a mistake at the back, and Inaki's shot hit the post and bounced back, and then scored the ball with a follow-up shot. Athletic Bilbao 3:2 Barcelona.
In the last minute of extra time, Iñaki assisted, Nico scored, and Athletic Bilbao sealed the win 4:2 Barcelona.
Barcelona Copa del Rey out!
In this way, Barcelona, should Xavi continue to work, or should he find someone to replace him? Just like the national football coach Jankovic......