Athletic Club 0–3 Barcelona Player Ratings: Lewandowski’s Brace Helps Barca Get a Comfortable Win Over Bilbao to End the La Liga Season

It was time to end the season after a final showdown between the table toppers Barcelona and the fourth placed Athletic Club. Though the intensity and hype for this match were low, it was surely set to a nail biter and an emotional one as the Athletic Club captain Óscar de Marcos was bidding goodbye to the club and the atmosphere gave proof that he was going to be missed in this part of Spain.

The game began in a boring manner and as nothing was there in the stakes, it was rather one with less vigor and intensity. Bilbao were seen with a much more intent as they wanted their legend to end the stint with on a higher note. However, this was immediately shattered by Lewandowski who scored the opener within around ten minutes into the game. Barcelona took a free kick from their half, passed the ball to Fermin who took the ball, made a run and cleverly made a pass to the Polish striker, who with his strong presence of mind chipped in the ball above Unai Simon to open the accounts for his team. Minutes later he again found the back of the net, this time from a corner taken by Raphinha which hit the head of an opponent and came straight to Lewandowski. This was easily tapped in by the player making it 2-0. Later on, either side attempted to make attacks, but the defence stood pretty strong and for the remaining minutes of the half, it was rather dominated by the midfield.

In the second half, Lewandowski got an early chance to score a hat trick which he missed as the ball was overhit. Bilbao also attempted to attack from the services of Sannadi and Williams but unfortunately none of them did not work well. Most of them went sailing over the bar. In the dying minutes Dani Olmo won a penalty and scored it making it 0-3 at the end. Here are the Athletic Club vs Barcelona Player Ratings.

Athletic Club Player Ratings vs Barcelona

GK - Unai Simon - 6.5/10

Had pretty much nothing to do in the first half when the two goals were scored. Both goals could be termed as defensive mistakes, and the keeper's presence couldn't have mitigated it. Tried to close down space for Lewandowski in the first goa, but this was way too fragile for the experienced player to miss. In the second goal too, he had not much role as the goal was a result of his own teammates failure to shadow the Barca striker.

LB - Yuri Berchiche - 5.5/10

Was seen playing a bit physical in the initial minutes with Lamine Yamal and he made some unnecessary pushes. This added him under the blacklist of the referee. Lamine Yamal had a pretty much bad first half and the player had a huge responsibility in that as he marked Yamal in a proper manner. Defended Lewandowski very well when he made a solo run with zero opponents ahead. Was seen making some unnecessary errors and blunders which were immature.

CB - Aitor Paredes - 6/10

Was seen playing casually in the first half. Failed to shadow Lewandowski in the corner which left the player unmarked and he made an easy header to double the accounts. Headed a freekick taken by Alex from the centre of the box which hit the bar. Had a frustrating day in short.

CB - Unai Núñez - 6/10

Made some interesting and solid tackles to keep the goals away. When Fermin made a pass to Lewandowski, he tried to stretch and slipped. This gave space for the ball to pass through to easily reach Lewandowski who did not miss. Left spaces which was filled in by the Barca players which added tensions for his team.

RB - Óscar de Marcos - 6.5/10

Was playing one last time as a red and white and played his last in a best manner. Joined hands with Ruiz de Galareta to stop the likes of Pedri from making his skillful moves. Once Lamine Yamal switched flanks, he was the primary reason the player couldn't proceed forward. Gave some crosses but it was ultimately defended by the strong Barca defence. Though he would have hoped for a positive result on his departure, he can keep his heads high for this performance. Received a standing ovation once he was called off in the 88th minute.

CM - Mikel Jauregizar - 6/10

Had an average performance. Had a good passing accuracy and that was probably one of the only positive stat. Was involved in almost twenty duels but won just half a dozen of them. Could have done better and the player fell short in comparison to Gavi and Pedri.

CM - Iñigo Ruiz de Galareta - 6/10

Took a good freekick in the 20th minute which went curling in the box and created danger for the opponents. However, some of his shots took were very bad as it was overhit and went off target giving an underwhelming result to a brilliant gameplay. Was subbed off in the second half.

LW - Nico Williams - 6.5/10

Inside the opening minutes he had a good control of the ball. He made a good run frum the left flank and took a shot which was the first shot of the game. Was active in the flanks and was actively engaged in making crosses and dribbling inside the box.

AM - Unai Gómez - 5/10

Had a good positioning and headed in a cross from Berenguer to shake the net but the goal was however ruled out due to an offside. Later on, he did not have a presence of mind and made an error off a corner as he made a very bad touch which gifted the ball to Lewandowski who headed in the ball to make it two for the visitors. Got some chances to give reply to the visitors but all the shots skied off.

RW - Álex Berenguer - 6/10

In the very early minutes of the match, he made a beautiful cross inside the box to Gomez, who found the ball in the back of the net. But unfortunately, the player was a few inches offside, and the goal was overruled. Gave a beautiful freekick from the right side of the box which was headed in only to hit the crossbar.

CF - Maroan Sannadi - 6/10

Won a freekick from a dangerous position in the attacking half. Once this freekick was taken, the player got a chance to score an open netter and to his dismay he hit it off target. Made a fantastic run to get past Cubarsi but again to his misfortune lost balance and had to wait for a goal.

Sub - Daniel Vivian - 6/10

Sub - Oihan Sancet - 6/10

Sub - Benat Prados - 6/10

Sub - Williams - 6/10

Sub - Lekue - 6/10

Manager - Ernesto Valverde - 7/10

Though he would have wanted a victory to end the season on a higher note, he can keep his heads held high as he has finished fourth after a dream run.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Athletic Club

GK - Iñaki Peña - 6.5/10

Was not challenged for a vast majority of the match. The defenders were strong and whenever the Bilbao went past the defenders, the keeper stood tall and kept his calm to secure the clean sheet. Apart from that he only had some routine saves and clearances.

LB - Alejandro Balde - 7/10

Was good in the wings. Had a good role in keeping Alex quiet and whenever required the player also came up in the attack to support Raphinha. Had a good display of action though his name was not celebrated much by the commentators.

CB - Ronald Araújo- 6/10

Was decent in the minutes played. Had a good passing accuracy. Moved forward up the pitch and positioned himself as a holding midfielder rather than a centre back. Did not have to involve deeply into the match as the opponents did not make many attacks. Was not bad but not extraordinary too.

CB - Pau Cubarsí - 6.5/10

Tightly marked Sannadi and resisted him from paving his way inside the box and taking a shot. Only once was he beaten by the player, but his team was not under trouble then. Made clearances, blocked the balls and stood strong as a wall to keep the clean sheet.

RB - Eric García - /10

Read Williams properly and limited him to a large extent. Moved a bit further up to support Yamal but that did not work well. Won five out of seven duels involved in. One con of the players performance was that he lost possession multiple times.

CM - Pedri - 7/10

Was solid along with Gavi in the midfield. While Gavi focused more defensively, Pedri was more offensively focused. Won multiple duels, gave some accurate long passes and crosses. Made some kay passes. Came forward to support Raphinha and stepped in his position when he moved down to support the wingback. Had a good day at office.

CM - Gavi - 7.5/10

What a great day did the player have. Stood like a wall in the midfield. If there was a reason why the Bilbao's found it hard to penetrate through, it was Gavi. Exceled in every aspect of the game he was involved in. Won almost all the duels the player was involved in, be it ariel or ground. Had a stunning passing accuracy. Made some successful dribbles and gave some key passes. Made some tackles and also managed to win fouls for his team.

AM - Fermín López - 7/10

Provided a beautiful assist to Lewandowski as he provided a beautiful pass passing through the Athletic players inside the box which laid foundation for the first goal. Cut-in multiple times from the right to add up the work of the hosts. Was having a pivotal role in mounting pressure upon the opponents.

LW - Raphinha - 7/10

Was seen everywhere in the left flank of the attacking half. Made some good crosses and passes which put the opponents under some trouble. Took the corner kick which was the basis of the second goal. Provided a solid delivery for Lewandowski from the left flank deep inside the box which was destined to be a goal nine times out of ten. However, it was somehow missed by the Polish striker. Was subbed off in the second half.

RW - Lamine Yamal - 6/10

Did not perform in par with expectations as the player was limited to a very big extent by Yuri. In the midfield too he was disposed by his fellow national teammate Williams.

Attempted to take some shots but most of them did not find the target and went flying above the net. Won some loose balls and rather than taking shots he took a different option which did not work as he would have wanted. When some of the shots found the target, it was stopped by the strong hands of the opponent keeper.

CF - Robert Lewandowski - 8/10

Scored the first goal from a cheeky chip to make a sublime finish and give the champions a lead. Was having the presence of mind. Waited for the keeper to respond, took time and made a chip to score the opener. Just minutes later, positioned himself properly in the second post to score the second goal for his team doubling the delight. Got a brilliant chance to score the hattrick very early in the second half but missed it.

Sub - Christensen - 6/10

Sub - Dani Olmo - 7/10

Won the penalty and scored it to make it 3-0.

Sub - Gerard Martin - 6/10

Sub - F. De. Jong- 6/10

Sub - Pau Victor - 6/10

Manager - Hansi Flick - 7/10

Had a clear vision. Deployed players at the right place at the right time. Made timely substitutions. Dominated from the first minute and got the victory.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Robert Lewandowski.