Photo: David Ramos
Athletic Bilbao ruthlessly exposed Barcelona’s defensive frailties, annihilating Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana. The Basques ran riot at the San Mames, with Aduriz netting a hat-trick, as Luis Enrique’s men conceded 4 goals for the second successive match. Although a late goal against Sevilla saved Barcelona the blushes in Georgia, Bilbao mercilessly ripped apart a worn-out Barcelona side, which had just survived a 120-minute ordeal on Tuesday.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen was at fault for the opening goal, when he attempted to make a Manuel Neuer-esque headed clearance from his own half but the ball fell right into the path of Mikel San Jose, who unleashed a riveting half-volley from 50-yards over the stranded German goalkeeper into the back of the net, stunning players from both parties.
Photo: Reuters
Thomas Vermaelen who missed almost the entirety of last season, was paired with Marc Bartra and the duo had a horror outing, constantly outwitted by the experienced Aduriz, as Barcelona went on to concede three more goals.
Super Cup hero Pedro struck the crossbar in the second-half but that was the closest Barcelona came to equalizing, as Aduriz scored the first of his three goals a few minutes later. Sabin Merino pounced on Sergi Roberto’s error in his own half and muscled past Dani Alves to feed Aduriz with an inviting cross, and the striker scored the perfect header past ter Stegen to make it 2-0. Athletic punished Barcelona for some scrappy and novice defending, when Dani Alves’ gifted the ball to Eraso in the penalty box, who deftly passed it to Aduriz, who emphatically finished from close range.
Dani Alves’ moment of recklessness took the tie away from Barcelona’s reach, when the Brazilian blatantly brought his man down during a corner routine, even though the ball was delivered nowhere near him. Aduriz stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty past ter Stegen to complete his hat-trick.
Barcelona were on the back foot since minute one and Ernesto Valverde’s men took total advantage of Barcelona’s jadedness, who have a mountain to climb when they attempt to stage a comeback in the 2nd leg at the Camp Nou.
Photo: Kerstin Joensson/AP
Bayern Munich began their Bundesligsa campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Hamburg 5-0 at the Allianz Arena. Medhi Benatia headed the opener and Robert Lewandowski doubled his side’s lead in the 53rd minute. Thomas Muller hit a quickfire double, before new boy Douglas Costa also got his goal a few minutes from time.
Meanwhile in England, Manchester United put in yet another unsatisfactory performance, this time against Aston Villa, as Adnan Janujaz’s solitary goal was the difference between both sides at the full time whistle.
Tags: Aduriz Athletic Bilbao Barcelona Spanish Supercopa Supercopa de Espana
