Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on Saturday at La Cartuja in Seville to win the Copa del Rey and secure their first trophy under coach Ronald Koeman. Lionel Messi scored twice, and Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong also were on track as Barca won their first piece of silverware since 2019 and lifted the Spanish cup for a record-extending 31st time.
All four goals arrived in 12 second-half minutes after De Jong found out Griezmann for the opener on the hour mark. De Jong then stooped low to go home a Jordi Alba cross, before linking with Messi to make the third. Messi completed the scoring within the 72nd minute, sweeping home another Alba cross.
The result saw Athletic beaten during a Copa del Rey final for the second time this month, having lost the long-delayed 2020 final to Real Sociedad on April 3.
Positives
Barca endured a trophy-less season last outing -- their first since 2007-08 -- and hadn't won anything since the 2018-19 league title. Since then, they need lost a Copa del Rey final to Valencia and therefore the Spanish Supercopa final to Athletic earlier this year. This win, therefore, served as revenge for that defeat, but was also a hugely important win for Koeman.
The Dutch coach has been criticised for Barca's failure to compete in big games, thereupon Supercopa defeat paired with Clasico losses and a Champions League exit. He will hope this win serves to silence the doubters and as a timely morale boost for the title run-in in La Liga. Barca are just two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid with eight games to play. A domestic double may be a very real prospect.
Copa success also will are sweet for the likes of Griezmann, De Jong, Pedri and Oscar Mingueza, among others, who had never previously won a trophy with the Catalan club.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
Negatives
It's hard to be critical of that performance, although Barca weren't clinical during a half they dominated. Zooming out, there are inquiries to answer about the futures of Miralem Pjanic and Riqui Puig. Neither player made the bench for the ultimate .
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Koeman opted to stay with a back three and brought Griezmann and Gerard Pique into the side following last weekend's Clasico defeat to Real Madrid. Barca were on top from the primary minute to the last.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 -- Barca's dominance meant he had little to try to to but was good together with his feet, apart from one first-half mistake.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 7 -- Another assured performance caps a fantastic season for the academy graduate, who has come out of thin air to form himself a daily in Koeman's side.
DF Gerard Pique, 8 -- Returned from a knee injury to supply a composed and commanding performance at the rear .
DF Clement Lenglet, 7 -- Has improved tons within the past two months and appears far more
confident than he did earlier within the season.
MF Sergino Dest, 7 -- Got forward well and created one great chance for Griezmann.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 10 -- Was everywhere. Hit the post within the half , found out two of the four goals and scored one among his own. Also popped up in defence to form blocks and interceptions and controlled the sport from midfield. Imperious.
MF Sergio Busquets, 8 -- Swarmed everywhere Athletic when Barca lost the ball and used it well, passing creatively through the lines.
MF Pedri, 7 -- Brilliant pressing throughout the sport and useful with the ball. Almost scored, but saw his shot tipped wide by Unai Simon.
MF Jordi Alba, 8 -- Loves the liberty he gets playing as a wing-back and got forward to make two of the goals.
FW Lionel Messi, 9 -- Scored an excellent first goal, playing two one-twos with De Jong, before beating Simon inside the box. Added another, too, but even without the goals, he was a menace all night.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 8 -- Missed an honest chance to open the scoring before scoring an identical opportunity minutes later. Linked the team well in attack and worked hard off the ball.
Substitutions
MF Sergi Roberto, 6 -- Came on for Dest once Barca had motored faraway from Athletic.
MF Ilaix Moriba, N/R -- Only given the ultimate jiffy but the 18-year-old will treasure them as he won his first trophy with Barca.
DF Ronald Araujo, N/R -- Like Ilaix, will have appreciated the time on the pitch as Barca won the cup.
FW Martin Braithwaite, N/R -- The semifinal hero only came on for the ultimate three minutes.
FW Ousmane Dembele, N/R -- A fitness issue confined him to the bench, but Koeman still handed him the previous couple of minutes.
Comments