Barcelona quickly rebounded after conceding a goal just 17 seconds into their recent match (the earliest response in La Liga in the 21st century) and played to a 2-2 draw with “Granada” before the international break. This result left them in third place before this round, three points behind the leader, “Real,” although “Bar?a” remains the only team in the division that has not suffered a defeat. Nevertheless, this record may mean nothing if they continue to drop points, and Xavi faces a significant squad challenge as he tries to cope with an injury epidemic and players returning from international duty. However, the Catalans should be very optimistic about a victory over “Athletic” Bilbao the team has collected 55 out of the last 57 points at home in the top division against the Basques, and their last defeat against the visitors occurred back in November 2001. Pedri, de Jong, Roberto, Rafinha, Lewandowski, and Kunde will be unavailable to play.
Athletic will confidently go to Barcelona’s temporary home, the “Olimpico” stadium, after a 3-0 victory over “Almeria,” which brought them to their highest point total (17) after nine La Liga games in this century. The team starts this round in fifth place and has conceded fewer goals than the Catalans, making their start to the 2023/24 season a positive one. However, coach Ernesto Valverde will meet his former employers with a winless record in personal meetings away. Any hope of changing this scenario will depend on the defense of the visitors, who have recorded three clean sheets in four away matches in La Liga this season, although the “lions” did concede three times in their last match against fellow locals “Real Sociedad.” Williams, Vesga, and Alvarez are out of the game today, with Alvarez nursing a groin injury.
