Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona, La Liga: Match Thread, Live Updates

FULL-TIME, Athletic 0-0 Barcelona: Thank goodness this is over. It was so, so bad.

SECOND HALF KICKOFF! Athletic 0-0 Barcelona: Back underway at San Mamés!

HALFTIME, Athletic 0-0 Barcelona: A very poor first half lacking in quality and with both teams content with playing long balls forward ends with no goals and two key injuries for Barça. Hopefully there will be better football and some goals in the final period.

45’ SUBSTITUTION: Yet another problem for Barça just before halftime as Pedri appears to suffer a non-contact muscle injury and is replaced by Lamine Yamal. Barça’s two best midfielders are now out in a costly first half in Bilbao, and Pedri is in tears on the bench.

26’ SUBSTITUTION: Barça lose a key player to injury as Frenkie de Jong is forced off after an ugly turn of his right ankle. The Dutchman is in a lot of pain and can’t continue, and he’s replaced by Fermín López.

KICKOFF! Athletic 0-0 Barcelona: And we’re underway at San Mamés!

WELCOME TO SAN MAMÉS!!! This spectacular cathedral of football in the Basque Country is the site of a monster La Liga clash between hosts Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona, who come into this one looking to take all three points and keep their small title hopes alive, but it won’t be easy against an Athletic side in great form and nearly unstoppable at home that needs a win to keep their Top 4 chances intact. This should be all kinds of fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!

(Note: the comments will be open only when the team news come out, because our commenter people love commenting and sometimes there are too many comments in the comments section)

BARCELONA

Starting XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsí, Araujo, Cancelo; Christensen, De Jong; Raphinha, Gündogan, Pedri; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Peña (GK), Kochen (GK), Iñigo, Fort, Roberto, Romeu, Fermín, Yamal, Félix, Roque, Guiu

ATHLETIC BILBAO

Starting XI: Simón; Prados, Yeray, Paredes, Imanol; D. García, Vesga; I. Williams, U. Gómez, Berenguer; Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Agirrezabala (GK), Sancet, Muniain, Lekue, Galarreta, De Marcos, Villalibre, R. García, Ares, Egiluz, Jauregizar, Rincón

Competition/Round: 2023-24 La Liga, Matchday 27

Date/Time: Sunday, March 3, 2024, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Monday)

Venue: Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández

VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande

On TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), Canal+ Sport 3 (Nigeria), Sports18 (India), Viaplay Sports 1 (UK), Movistar (Spain), others

Online: ESPN+ (USA), LaLigaTV (UK), Movistar+ (Spain), others

We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:

Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.

Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!