It has been a tough season for FC Barcelona. From crashing out of UEFA Champions League to reeling at sixth position in La Liga, nothing has been going in favour of the Spanish football giants. Barcelona’s hopes of lifting a trophy this season faced a big blow after they exited the Copa Del Rey on Thursday (January 20) as they were beaten by Athletic Bilbao 3-2 at the round of 16 stage.
Barcelona conceded the deciding goal in the extra-time too see their title hopes getting shattered.
Bilbao had got the lead just within two minutes after their skipper Iker Muniain scored a delightful. But Barcelona were quick enough in finding the equaliser after their new recruit Ferran Torres scored his first goal for his new team in 20th minute.
In 86th minute Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez earned a vital lead for his team. Later, just when it seemed all over for Barcelona, their Spanish midfielder Pedri came up with a late equaliser to keep his side’s hopes alive in the fixture. Pedri’s 93rd minute goal meant that the match had to be settled in extra-time.
The winning goal
In 106th minute skipper Muniain found the back of the net for the second time in the game and scored the winner to defeat the Giants Barcelona in a miraculous fashion.
"In summary, I think Athletic's intensity surpassed ours. In duels, in second balls. They lived each ball as if it were their last,” said Barca manager Xavi in his post-match press conference.
“With Pedri's goal it seemed like it was our moment. It seems that when things are heads or tails, we always get tails. We have to change the dynamic,” Xavi explained.
Real win
Real Madrid on the other hand, scored a late winner in the extra-time to beat Elche 2-1 in the Copa Del Rey. Real’s Belgian attacking player Eden Hazard scored the winner for his side in 115th minute to secure victory.
Earlier, Real Madrid were down to 10 men after their Brazilian left-back Marcelo was shown a red card later Elche were down to 10 men as well after their attacking player Milla was shown a red card too.
"It may be that Hazard and Isco deserve to play more," said Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti.
"I know I can count on them," Ancelotti added.
