Luuk de Jong and Depay score; incredible panna Pedri


Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 10:56 PM• Jeroen van Poppel • Last update: 23:02

Barcelona is starting to get more and more steamy. Xavi’s team left Athletic Club completely without a chance in its own Camp Nou on Sunday: 4-0. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembélé provided the spectacular first goals, after which Dutch substitutes Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay also scored. It was extra nice for Depay, because the striker made his comeback after weeks of rehabilitation from a muscle injury. Frenkie de Jong, also a substitute, provided an assist. Also worth mentioning was the unparalleled panna that Pedri gave in the second half to Mikel Balenziaga. Barca climbs back to fourth place.

Frenkie de Jong was rested after his midweek world goal against Napoli and started on the bench, just like Luuk de Jong and Depay. The latter was back in the match selection for the first time after a lingering muscle injury. The three the Dutch internationals would come in in the second half. Sergiño Dest started as left back in the absence of the suspended Jordi Alba. At Athletic, it was noticed that star players Iker Muniain and Inaki Williams started as reserves, also with a view to the semi-final of the Copa del Rey against Valencia next Wednesday.

The proportions were almost the same throughout the game: Barcelona tried to find openings with the ball at their feet, while Athletic bet on the quick counterattack, but could hardly alarm the home team with that before half-time. At Barça, it was noticed that right back Dani Alves engaged in possession as a central midfielder. There were not many chances for the Catalans, but after half an hour Ferran Torres forced goalkeeper Unai Simón to make a wonderful save.

The difference in the first half was made in the 37th minute by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who turned artistically through the air and tapped a rebound with a flying volley: 1-0. The Barça striker got that chance after Gerard Pique headed the post from a corner. After more than an hour, Ferran was able to suddenly walk towards Athletic’s goal after Iñigo Lekue slipped, but again the attacker showed that he was not lethal in the completion: Simon reacted quite simply to his shot.

Fifteen minutes before the end, Dembélé showed the necessary killer instinct: the Frenchman was cold in the field for six minutes when he was played on the left and threatening his opponent Lekue. Dembélé deflected it around the outside, and then hit the target with destruction inside the post: 2-0. The party was increased by Luuk de Jong, who typed cool-bloodedly in the ninetieth minute after a cross from Dembélé: 3-0. Memphis Depay graced his return with the final chord: the striker could slide in after another good cross from Dembélé: 4-0.