Nico Williams, the Catalans’ frustrated desire in the summer transfer market, and Lamine Yamal are great friends, but today they will be rivals
This afternoon’s clash at Montjuïc has two clear protagonists: Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Both footballers are the standout stars of their squads and also have a great relationship that they have strengthened and cultivated in the Spanish national team, to the point of going on holiday together. Likewise, the Athletic striker was the focus of much of the Barça news for many weeks because he has been the great frustrated ambition of this summer’s transfer market.
Barcelona in the 24-25 season were eager to have Nico Williams in their squad. But Athletic ‘s refusal to negotiate and Barcelona ‘s problems with their Financial Fair Play , among other reasons, truncated their ambitious wish. The international striker will be on the Montjuïc pitch this afternoon, but he will do so in the red and white shirt and not the blue and red. He will not line up, as Joan Laporta hoped, alongside his great friend Lamine Yamal, who will be his rival this matchday. The young Catalan, the flagship player of this Barcelona, will move on the right wing of the culé attack. Hansi Flick will bet against Ernesto Valverde ‘s men on a very similar eleven to the one that debuted in LaLiga , and won, at Mestalla.
However, everything points to a change: Pedri, who is already in form, will play in place of Ferran Torres . The Canarian international will, a priori, occupy the midfield position, meaning Raphinha will have minutes on the left wing. Robert Lewandowski , who scored two goals for Valencia, will remain as centre forward. There is no debate in that position: the Polish footballer is Barcelona’s number 9.
Flick ‘s idea is that the double pivot of his 1-4-2-3-1 will once again be formed by Marcs: Casadó and Bernal. The German coach is very satisfied with the performance of the youth players. And also with that of Jules Koundé. The former German coach was confident that the French defender, who remains at right back, will stop Nico Williams well.
Fermín López could get his first game of the season, albeit in the second half. The Andalusian, who joined the Catalans this week after playing in the Euros and the Olympic Games, has arrived in top form, and the Barça manager has not ruled out giving him minutes depending on how the match goes.
The Montjuïc game is one of the great attractions of the evening for the many Athletic fans who will take advantage of this Saturday to bid farewell to the Bilbao festivities – on the last night of its Aste Nagusia – or in the countless towns in different parts of the Basque Country and surrounding areas that this second half of August celebrate their summer festivities. The early triumph would be in a victory for Athletic, which has not happened as a visitor against Barcelona for 8,309 days.
Nico is attracting all the attention possible in a match in which Athletic must be more than the contribution of its best player to stand up to Barça . The lions are short of gas at the back, where the planning of the season has left them with only three centre-backs from the first team. And one is injured. In addition, in the engine room, Valverde misses Galarreta , who will still take a few games to return. The team is obliged to look more like what it usually is than what it showed against Getafe in order to come out on top
source:marca.com
