This is undoubtedly one of the happiest days for you if you are an FC Barcelona fan. It is the day for the Spotify Camp Nou to finally reopen and host its first game for FC Barcelona after almost two and a half years. The date for the match is 22nd November, whereas the match will start at 4:15 PM local time. For the Indian fans, it will start at 8:45 PM. What is Barcelona vs Athletic Club Team News, and who will start the match, will be a question for you.
FC Barcelona went into the international break with a 4-2 win over Celta Vigo, where Lewandowski scored a hat-trick. The good thing for them was their rivals Real Madrid dropped points against Rayo. Now, only three points separate them from Real Madrid, who are the table toppers. On the other hand, Athletic Club also won their match before going into the international break, but their form has been disappointing.
Also check out: Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou could be renamed after Club legend Leo Messi?: Full story revealed
Barcelona vs Athletic Club Team News & Playing XI
When we talk about FC Barcelona, Lamine Yamal is back. Along with them, long-term absentees Raphinha and new signing Joan Garcia are also back. Still, Pedri is not declared fit, and neither is Ter-Stegen. Frenkie de Jong is suspended for this match due to a red card in the last La Liga match.
One of the reasons for Athletic Club’s bad form has to be injuries. Inaki Williams, Unai Eguiluz, Benat Prado, and Maroan Sannadi all will miss the match due to injuries, whereas most likely star boy, Nico Williams, is all set to start. Benat Prado is still serving his suspension as he will be out for Athletic Club.
Athletic Club XI:
- Goalkeeper: Simon
- Defenders: Berchiche, Laporte, Vivian, and Gorosabel
- Midfielders: Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta, Nico Williams, Sanchez, and Berenguer
- Forward: Guruzeta
Barcelona XI:
- Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
- Defenders: Eric Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, and Balde
- Midfielders: Casado, Olmo, and Lopez
- Forwards: Yamal, Lewandowski, and Rashford
Head-to-Head: Barcelona vs Athletic Club
Both Barcelona and Athletic Club have played against each other a total of 244 times. Barcelona is the team that has won more times compared to their opponents, as they have won 124 times in 244 matches. On the other hand, Athletic Club has won a total of 80 times. Forty matches have ended in a draw between the two teams.
When we look at the results of both teams head-to-head in the previous season in La Liga, Barcelona won on both occasions. They won 2-1 at home and 3-0 away from home. Both teams also played in the Super-Cup; Barcelona won that game as well, 2-0. The last time Athletic Club defeated Barcelona in La Liga was in 2020.
Barcelona vs Athletic Club: Predictions
With the form Athletic Club, and they would hope that Barcelona do not trash them, but Barcelona have their defence problems as well. The injured players are back for Barcelona, and surely the new Camp Nou will also help them, as more than 40,000 fans will be allowed.
Scoreline Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club
