An opportunity was squashed in San Mames in the game where both Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were lost to injury during the first half of the game itself.

The game for Barcelona was a light of hope, an opportunity to get them right back into the championship race. Real Madrid could manage to only draw with Valencia a day before and Girona had been toppled away to Mallorca. It all ended as it began in San Mames as it began though. Both the team finished the match with a 0-0 which is a draw. Even though two points were dropped the resulting total situation is still the same on the league table as it was before the game. The fans of the Barcelona team are now hanging by a thread on the worrying news about two of the most important parts of the midfield of the team. 

The team player who got injured

The team suffered a double injury blow during the first half of the game where first Frenkie de Jong fell on his ankle awkwardly and had to be stretchered off. He had played every minute of the 2024 game so far and this was a major enough loss for the team but was not all. Eventually, it started to look like that something might also have happened with Pedri which was proven right as the player dropped to the ground in desperation because something was wrong with his leg. He was devastated and had to concede with a heavy heart that he could not play anymore. After the game was over, Xavi accepted that both the players were likely out of the further games as well which had impacted the team’s morale. 

The intense battle between the teams

The game had been an intense battle for both teams and while the outcome of the match at a 0-0 was a fair result it was still a missed opportunity for the Barcelona team to be back on their position on the leaderboard. 

The game was intense and fascinating even without any goals, the biggest moment was when Unai Simon was caught off his line. The game was full of half chances fulfilled and was more about the defensive brilliance shown by both the teams rather than being about the forwards that were able to offer. 

Athletic had been almost incognito going into this game and their morale was through the roof after qualifying for the Copa del Rey final but their manager Ernesto Valverde had made no less than seven forced as well as unforced changes to the sides which had played for three days earlier. Xavi had also pointed out that the Lions were an intense team which was proven to be true as Barcelona had struggled to be comfortable against them. The Lions are also looking forward to the Champions League next season which is going to be an interesting watch for all the fans of the sport alike.