• Iñaki Williams’ late goal knocks out Barça after calamitous week
Athletic Bilbao poured fuel on Barcelona’s fire. A late, late goal exposed them once more, eliminated from the Copa del Rey in the week in which their captain publicly called out their sporting director, divisions coming to the surface, civil war declared, the collapse complete. Lionel Messi had accused Eric Abidal of “dirtying” the players. Here, offered the chance to make a point with their play, they did so themselves. “Talk to me about the football, please,” their coach, Quique Setién, said before this game but, when it came to the football, it was not much better. There was no hiding place on the field. At San Mamés their players were thrown to the lions again. And what awaits them now may be even worse.
A 94th-minute goal from Iñaki Williams defeated Barcelona in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey. Obviously they will not win the cup but it takes a leap of faith to believe they will win anything at all. The crisis continues, deeper now. It is institutional but it is sporting, too. Though Unai Simón saved Athletic a couple of times, Barcelona could not really claim they deserved better. They could have won but they could also have been beaten sooner.
Written by Sid Lowe
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/06/barcelona-crisis-grows-athletic-bilbao-copa-del-rey under the title “Barcelona crisis grows as Athletic Bilbao knock them out of Copa del Rey”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
