FC Barcelona scraped a 1-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao and midfielder Gavi was again an influential figure. Barcelona regained their nine-point gap over title rivals Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table. However, what stole the show was a brave move by Gavi that left fans split. Some fans believe it was brave but some believe he risked it too much.
Barcelona repeated their scoreline of 1-0 from last week while also repeating the combination of provider and scorer. Raphinha scored from Sergio Busquets’ assist. The Brazilian was spotted by the Spaniard ghosting behind the defense. Raphinha was played in and he netted a thunderous strike right on half-time.
However, it was not the easiest outing for Barcelona. The Blaugranas had only two shots on target one of which was Raphinha’s goal. The visiting team survived a frantic affair in which the home team, Athletic Bilbao, was the better side majorly.
“It’s the same thing once again. We have to play and attack better,” coach Barca Xavi Hernandez told DAZN. “We went 1-0 in a difficult stadium and end up suffering. It is a golden victory, but we keep thinking about improving offensively.”
FULL TIME!!!!!!!!! #AthleticBarça pic.twitter.com/YXITJ8VQyK
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 12, 2023
Barcelona has notched up 65 points after playing 25 matches in the league. They are nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid. The top two teams go head-to-head in the El Classico at Camp Nou next Sunday. A win for Barcelona will put them in cruise control while a win for Real will see the title race cut open again.
Fans react to Gavi’s dangerous tackle against Athletic Bilbao
In the first half, with 22 minutes on the clock, Gavi took the extraordinary decision of dispossessing Dani Garcia with a sliding tackle with his head. As the Bilbao player went to play the pass, the 2022 Golden Boy winner came flying across the turf head-first. He knocked the ball away cleanly. However, it was a very risky move and could have led to some serious injury. One fan said, “This is life threatening, gavi should be red carded”
This is life threatening, gavi should be red carded https://t.co/ITMGiMBYM9
— muhai (@_ahmadmuhai) March 13, 2023
He just wants to get the ball by all means
— Indaboski Bahose (@ainthnny) March 12, 2023
That's hella dangerous
At first I was in awe but à few seconds later I was just concerned for the future— Klashkleincast (@Klashkleincast1) March 12, 2023
Many fans even compared the tackle to something Manchester United center-back Phil Jones had done previously.
Ah the famous head tackle of Phil Jones
— Rene Gramsci (@rene_gramsci) March 12, 2023
Respect the original first pic.twitter.com/11keOi4CZH
— Kejvi Gjata (@GjataKejvi) March 13, 2023
To the surprise of the viewers, this was not a standalone incident from Gavi. There was another incident that saw the 18-year-old head the ball as Raul Garcia went to kick it. This again risked a serious injury but Gavi came out of it unscathed.
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