Following their shocking elimination from the Copa del Rey by Atletico Madrid, coach Hansi Flick opted to rest key players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Pedri. Starting opportunities were given to Marcus Rashford, Marc Casado, and Marc Bernal. Beyond seeking fresh legs, the German tactician likely aimed to conserve his squad for the round of 16 first leg against Newcastle next midweek.

The match was a tight, contested affair. Despite controlling 70% of possession, Barca struggled against the disciplined defense of the Basque side. They managed only 7 shots throughout the game, with two on target. However, Barca held an edge in other key metrics, such as pass accuracy (89% compared to 72%) and expected goals (1,15 compared to 0,42).

Yamal celebrates his opening goal for Barca during their La Liga matchday 27 victory against Athletic at San Mames on 7/3. Photo: Reuters

Coach Flick's timely personnel adjustments also played a significant part. Recognizing the difficulty in breaching the home side's defense, he introduced Pedri and Raphinha in the 62nd minute. This allowed Barca to break the press more effectively, creating space for Lamine Yamal to score in the 69th minute. Receiving a pass from Pedri on his familiar right wing, the 18-year-old forward drove deep into the penalty area and curled a left-footed shot into the far top corner for a beautiful goal.

This marked Yamal's 14th La Liga goal this season, complementing his 9 assists. He was also voted man of the match. In addition to his goal, the Spanish forward completed 5 successful dribbles, the most in the game.

However, Barca's victory also saw significant contributions from other players. Marc Casado led with 9 successful ball recoveries, acting as a "sweeper" in front of the defense. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia played steadily, particularly in the final 20 minutes, while the center-back pair of Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia had an excellent game, completely neutralizing Nico Williams and Selton Sanchez.

"Winning at San Mames is never easy," commented coach Flick. "I am proud of how the young players reacted after we rotated the squad. Lamine scored a class goal, but this victory belongs to the resilience of the entire team."

Meanwhile, coach Ernesto Valverde stated: "We contained them quite well for the first 60 minutes. But against exceptional individuals like Yamal, just one second of lapse in concentration, and you pay the price. It's a shame for the players' efforts today."

Quang Dung