Younger starlets Gavi and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona, with out Dani Olmo after his licence to play was revoked, into the Spanish Tremendous Cup ultimate with a 2-0 win in opposition to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Soccer Soccer – Spanish Tremendous Cup – Semi Closing – Athletic Bilbao v FC Barcelona – King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – January 8, 2025 FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their second objective REUTERS/Pedro Nunes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY(REUTERS)
Spanish playmaker Olmo was cleared to play once more on a short lived foundation earlier than the sport however the determination got here too late for him or Pau Victor, in the identical place, to function in opposition to Copa del Rey winners Athletic.
Gavi put Barcelona forward from shut vary after 17 minutes and teenage winger Yamal netted the second early after the break.
Spanish and European champions Actual Madrid face cup runners-up Mallorca on Thursday within the second semi-final in Saudi Arabia, the place the competitors has been held for the previous few years.
“Athletic are a very physical team that make you run a lot, we suffered above all towards the end, but we were able to play well and we’re very happy,” Yamal instructed Movistar.
The winger stated Olmo and Victor had been happy to be allowed to play as soon as extra.
Barca coach Hansi Flick hailed the choice from Spain’s nationwide sports activities council concerning Olmo and Victor.
“The whole club is very happy for this right decision,” stated Flick, hoping to win his first silverware on the helm of Barca.
“We wanted to show we are a team and we win also for them.”
Barcelona, who certified as La Liga runners-up, began brightly and Raphinha volleyed over from a wonderful Jules Kounde cross and compelled Unai Simon into save with a free-kick.
It was no shock when the Catalans broke the impasse with Alejandro Balde reducing the ball again for Gavi, taking part in in Olmo’s attacking midfield function, to show residence for his first objective since struggling a extreme knee damage final season.
The 20-year-old pointed at an imaginary watch in his celebration, a nod to Olmo who repeatedly produces the identical gesture after scoring.
On the different finish Inaki Williams dallied on the ball too lengthy as Athletic’s finest attacking transfer of the primary half broke down.
Yamal, returning after an ankle drawback, ought to have added Barcelona’s second after Raphinha’s shot was saved however the 17-year-old miscued an tried lob.
Wojciech Szczesny, on his second begin in objective for Barcelona, made save to maintain Inaki Williams at bay earlier than the break.
Sharp Yamal
Barcelona doubled their lead early within the second half when Gavi slipped in Yamal who completed with aplomb.
Veteran Polish ahead Robert Lewandowski spurned a wonderful likelihood so as to add the third, firing off-target when effectively positioned.
Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked as Barcelona boss after a defeat on the similar stadium in 2020, introduced on Nico Williams to try to flip the sport round.
The Spain worldwide, closely linked with Barcelona in the summertime, was not match sufficient to begin, however made a constructive affect from the bench.
The winger arrange Oscar de Marcos to strike however the Athletic defender had strayed simply offside and the objective was dominated out.
Inaki Williams additionally had a objective dominated out for offside after Frenkie De Jong’s poor back-pass took a slight deflection off Alvaro Djalo on its strategy to the Ghana worldwide.
“It’s a shame given all the effort… but we have good things ahead of us and we have to continue,” stated Inaki Williams.
Barcelona had been in a position to guide their place in Sunday’s ultimate, by which Olmo will likely be allowed to function.
“We don’t care (who we face in the final), it will be hard and we want to win it, which is the important thing, and go back home with the trophy,” stated Yamal.