Barca has been knocked out of the cup, but the league campaign is still ongoing
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 07.03.26. | 16:10
Hansi Flick’s team takes on the always tough opponent, Athletic Bilbao, as the race for first place continues
Barcelona enters the crucial final phase of the season with their sights set on La Liga and the Champions League. Sitting atop the league table, they are determined to hold off second-placed Real Madrid, who last night snatched a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo at Balaidos thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Valverde, scored after a controversial foul.
That result puts the pressure squarely on Barca: a win in Bilbao is essential to keep their momentum going, beginning with one of their traditionally toughest away matches at San Mames against Athletic Bilbao.
Hansi Flick’s squad will then turn their attention to the Champions League, hosting Newcastle next Tuesday in the first leg of the round of 16—a challenge they narrowly missed last season.
Although European duty is just around the corner, the effort required for Bilbao will inevitably influence squad rotation, which Flick has already hinted at with promised “changes.”
The memories of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico are still fresh, where Barça staged a dramatic comeback only to see injuries to Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde derail their plans. Avoiding slip-ups is crucial if they are to prevent Real Madrid from gaining any lifeline in the La Liga title race.
Athletic Bilbao, like Barca, enters this match having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, in their case by Real Sociedad, leaving them with a less-than-ideal feeling on the pitch.
For the Basque side, hosting Barcelona—despite the ongoing “Nico Williams Case”—represents a chance to redeem themselves in front of their disappointed fans. Currently ninth in La Liga and far from European spots, their last encounter with Barca ended in a heavy 5-0 defeat in the Supercopa semi-final back in January, making revenge at San Mames a clear motivation.
Athletic will be without Nico Williams, Maroan, Benat Prados, and Paredes, yet coach Ernesto Valverde stressed that “everyone is eager to get back at Barcelona because they rarely show mercy.” Flick, meanwhile, praised Athletic as a “fantastic team,” acknowledging the challenge posed by absences but reaffirming that his squad remains focused “on winning the two remaining titles.”
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 27
Friday
Celta - Real Madrid 1-2 (1-1)
/Iglesias 25 - Tchouameni 11, Valverde 90+4/
Saturday
16.00: (1.75) Osasuna (3.60) Mallorca (5.60)
18.15: (2.85) Levante (3.30) Girona (2.50)
20.30: (1.63) Atletico Madrid (3.80) Sociedad (5.70)
23.00: (4.75) Ath.Bilbao (4.35) Barcelona (1.65)
Sunday
16.00: (1.50) Villareal (4.55) Elche (6.20)
18.15: (2.80) Getafe (2.85) Betis (2.95)
20.30: (2.50) Sevilla (3.05) Rayo Vallecano (3.10)
23.00: (2.10) Valencia (3.15) Alaves (3.95)
Monday
23.00: (1.95) Espanyol (3.40) Oviedo (4.10)
***odds are subject to change***