February 27, (THEWILL) – With a 4-0 victory over a much-changed Athletic Club on Sunday night, Barcelona reclaimed their place in La Liga’s top four.
After Gerard Pique’s shot hit the crossbar, Aubameyang was on hand to convert the rebound, and Ousmane Dembele scored the second. Late goals from substitutes Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay sealed the victory at Camp Nou.
Early on in the game, when Aubameyang put Ferran Torres in, Barça could have taken the lead, but the January signing’s attempt was too central and was saved by Unai Simon.
Soon after, they were rewarded for their dominance, as Aubameyang added to his impressive start to life in Catalonia by converting after Gerard Pique’s thunderous header hit the crossbar. It was his fifth goal in only his sixth appearance for Barça.
While Athletic sat back and attempted to play on the counter-attack, they were unable to create many chances, and Torres had the next major chance, but the Spaniard could only shoot straight at Simon when through on goal.
Athletic’s lack of attacking intent eventually caught up with them, as two substitutes combined to score Barça’s second goal.
Dembele took the ball wide before slamming a shot in at the near post after Frenkie de Jong swung the ball out to him.
Late in the game, Barça rubbed salt into Athletic’s wounds with two goals, with De Jong flicking in Dembele’s cross and Depay tapping in from close range from another Dembele assist.
The result meant that Barcelona climbed back to fourth place as Atletico Madrid and Villarreal both won. They return to action the following Sunday when they travel to Elche.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
