Lewandowski’s perseverance helped Barca beat Athletic Bilbao – Sports

Robert Lewandowski overcame multiple missed chances to help Barcelona to a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday.

The 36-year-old striker hit the woodwork twice and wasted other chances, but he kept his composure to score the winning goal for the Catalan giants in the 75th minute.

Young star Lamine Yamal’s shot put Barcelona ahead, but Oihan Sancet equalized for Bilbao from the penalty spot before halftime.

Lewandowski’s goal helped Barcelona to its second win in two league games under new coach Hansi Flick.

“Especially in the first half, he could have scored one or two goals… but in the end he is a goalscorer, a striker, a goalscorer,” Flick told reporters.

“The second goal was the winner, three points, perfect.”

The former Germany and Bayern Munich boss had hoped to utilise new arrival Dani Olmo, but due to Barcelona’s financial difficulties they were unable to register him, leaving the former RB Leipzig playmaker to watch from the stands.

Pedri started in midfield alongside 17-year-old Spanish star Yamal after an injury, and Yamal played a joke on his compatriot Nico Williams, a target for Barcelona this summer.

The winger, who will continue to play for Athletic Bilbao this season, was whistled by some Barcelona fans during his heated exchange with Jules Kounde.

Barcelona opened the scoring when Yamal’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Inigo Lecue’s head.

“I’m very happy to have won, it’s very important to win at home,” Yamal told DAZN.

“(For my goal) I saw a little space, I saw Nico coming and he wasn’t defending very strongly and when I found the space I shot.”

As Athletic Bilbao attacked, Williams delivered a dangerous cross at the other end that went inches wide of the far post.

Barcelona striker Lewandowski scored two goals away to Valencia in his first La Liga game. With the wonderful combination of Yamal and Rafinha, Lewandowski’s shot hit the post.

Athletic Bilbao’s young centre-back Pau Kubarsi equalised just before half-time when he clumsily fouled Alejandro Berenguer in the box.

Sansette misdirected Marc-Andre ter Stegen from the penalty spot, leaving the two teams tied at halftime.

Polish veteran Lewandowski headed in Rafinha’s free kick from close range, and the ball hit the post for the second time, hitting the far post.

The Brazilian fired towards the striker once again but was saved brilliantly by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Alex Padilla.

Barcelona started to attack and they were rewarded when Lewandowski scored his third goal of the season in the 75th minute.

Rafinha passed the ball to Pedri, and Padilla sent Pedri’s cross to the feet of Lewandowski, who made no mistake this time.

“You always suffer”

Barcelona’s victory over Ernesto Valverde’s Copa del Rey champions revived their morale after their opening victory over Valencia.

Real Madrid were widely expected to successfully defend their title following the signing of Kylian Mbappe, but despite various injury issues, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have made the perfect start to their bid to regain the title.

The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo are set to return to Barcelona later in the season, while Olmo is also waiting for his chance.

“We have to accept these facts because we can’t change it,” Flick continued.

“We knew when we signed for Barca that it wasn’t going to be easy (financially), (so) I don’t think about it. Today we wanted the three points and we got them.”

Athletic Bilbao had just one point from their first two games.

“When you come here you always have losses and you know they will take the initiative,” said former Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

“After we conceded the goal in the second half, they pressed harder and didn’t let us get out of trouble, which I think was the key.”