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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga | Gameweek 25
Mar 12, 2023 at 8pm UK
San Mamés Barria
Barcelona logo

Athletic Bilbao
0 - 1
Barcelona


Williams (30'), Zarraga (86')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Raphinha (45+1')
Roberto (76')

Barcelona missing three players for Athletic Bilbao contest

Barcelona missing three players for Athletic Bilbao contest
© Reuters
Barcelona will be missing Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo for Sunday's La Liga contest with Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona will be without the services of Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo for Sunday evening's La Liga contest with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Pedri and Dembele unavailable for selection due to hamstring injuries, while Araujo is suspended due to the red card that he picked up in last weekend's 1-0 win over Valencia.

However, the Catalan outfit have been handed a huge injury boost for this match, with leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski back in the squad after recovering from injury.

Lewandowski, who has struck 25 goals in all competitions this season, has missed Barcelona's last two matches with the hamstring issue that he suffered against Almeria on February 26.

Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring for Barcelona on October 12, 2022© Reuters

"He is doing very well. He has been training with the group since Thursday. He is feeling very well. He is an example of involvement and commitment. He always wants to play," Barcelona boss Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"He is differential and has changed the mentality of the team. It has been very good for us that he came.

"He is a vital addition. And even more so in matches like this, when they will press us up top. It is essential to have Robert and he is doing well."

Xavi was also asked about Pedri and Dembele, with the Barcelona head coach unsure when the duo would be available for selection once again.

"We have to wait, they train separately and we will see their feelings," he added.

Barcelona's Ronald Araujo walks off the pitch after receiving a red card by referee Javier Alberola Rojas on March 5, 2023© Reuters

Xavi, meanwhile, admitted that his side would be weaker without Araujo on Sunday, with the central defender "a very important loss" for the Catalan outfit.

"It's a very important loss. Even more so on these grounds, with so much intensity, high pressure, crosses down the flank. We will miss him, but we have enough alternatives so that it won't be noticed," he said.

"Athletic is a physically strong team that plays with its fans and its way of playing is clear. It will be a tough game. This is one of the toughest games left and we have to match their intensity.

"The moment of truth arrives, where the titles are decided and we have to show our faces. We have to win. Tomorrow we have a huge war on our hands. The pitch will be packed with a team that doesn't mess around. We have to save the war and then we'll think about the Clasico. These weeks before the break are key."

Barcelona are currently nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Barcelona squad vs. Athletic Bilbao:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Gavi, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong, Torre; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Alarcon

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Written by
Matt Law
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How you voted: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona

Athletic Bilbao
13.9%
Draw
9.2%
Barcelona
76.9%
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta during the press conference on February 1, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Barcelona19122551222938
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Mallorca199371921-230
6Villarreal177642928127
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Osasuna186752327-425
10Celta Vigo187382728-124
11Real BetisBetis176652021-124
12Sevilla176471823-522
13Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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