Eight rounds before the end of La Liga, the roles have changed – now Barcelona is the follower. After losing points in Seville, the Catalans are lagging behind the “Royal Club” at the expense of mutual meetings. So, Barça goes into emergency mode.
Naturally, nothing has been decided yet. Both teams have 65-65 points. But from now on, the loss of points cannot be categorical. It may be equal to the loss of the title. Barcelona’s task is to gain more points than Real in the last eight rounds.
As for Bilbao, the Basque club is wrestling with the last moss, maybe to get involved in the fight for the European zone.
Quique Setien will not have Ousmane Dembele, Sergi Roberto, and Frank de Jong due to injuries. On the other hand, Bilbao’s Yuri Berchiche has been disqualified.
Quique Setien: “We all know that Athletic is a fighting team. It is not easy to lose, and it defends the goal well. Let’s remember, at least, our confrontation at the cup. We’ve to be patient because it will not be easy; we will reach the goal soon.
We are in second place, but we actually have the same points. We no longer have the right to make mistakes. But Real is in the same situation, and they also have no right to lose points. We are fans, but we want to win the rest of the games.”