Athletic Bilbao 4-0 FC Barcelona: Five talking points
FC Barcelona was shocked in the 1st leg of the Spanish cup by Athletic BilbaoAthletic have started their season with a sweet revenge against the mighty treble winners of last season FC Barcelona as they thrashed the Blaugranas 4-0 at the San Mames. The Basque side brushed aside a competent Barca side with unbelievable ease as a hat-trick from veteran striker Aritz Aduriz and a wonder goal from Mikel San Jose proved too hot for Barcelona to handle.This was Bilbao's first victory over their La Liga rivals since 2006 and what a way to break their nine-year drought. The Spanish and defending European champions were clearly outmuscled and humiliated in all departments by Los Leones. Here are the five talking points from the exciting first leg of Supercopa de Espana.
#5 Mikel San Jose and Aritz Aduriz run the show
Bilbao’s fairytale began with a sublime strike by Mikel San Jose. He scored a volley from 50 yards out to the goal. The home team was slowly recuperating from a bright start by the Spanish champions as this strike really turned the tide in the hosts’ favour. San Jose has scored what is probably going to be one of the contenders for the goal of the season.
Aritz Aduriz is like a wine. He is getting better with age. Last season, he scored 26 goals in all competitons for the Ernesto Valverde’s side. And now he has begun his new season with a stunning hat-trick against a formidable Barcelona side. Aduriz singlehandedly inflicted a excruciating defeat to Luis Enrique’s all conquering side.
The first two goals by the Basque forward were the true testament to his poaching abilities inside the 15 yard box as he punished the callous attitude of Barcelona defenders every time. He rounded off his hat-trick with cool penalty as he outfoxed Barcelona’s German custodian Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Although the headlines will be grabbed by the Bilbao’s 34 year old marksman, it would be foolish to discount the impact of San Jose’s wondergoal in this drubbing by the Athletic.