Three talking points for Barcelona ahead of Athletic Club clash in La Liga | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to conclude their La Liga campaign with a visit to San Mames to take on Athletic Club. Ernesto Valverde’s side have already secured Champions League football for next season, meaning there isn’t much to play for tonight.

The Catalan club, on the other hand, secured La Liga by beating Espanyol a couple of games before. In the subsequent game, Hansi Flick’s men were beaten 3-2 by Villarreal but the focus didn’t really seem on the pitch.

Although there isn’t much riding on the result, Hansi Flick will want his team to go out of the season with a performance deserving of champions. To do this, the German coach will have to rally his troops to give it all for one last time.

With all this in mind, we at Sempre Barca bring to you three talking points for Barcelona ahead of their clash against Athletic Club in Bilbao in La Liga later today.

Can Barcelona put in a performance worthy of champions? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

1. A performance worthy of champions

Barcelona have given their all throughout the season to ensure they were able to wrap up the La Liga title with a couple of games to spare. However, against Villarreal, they did not back it up with a performance worthy of champions.

Against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona have the opportunity to push ahead and do what they couldn’t against the Yellow Submarine. The opposition don’t have much to play for either, unlike Villarreal, who came out all guns blazing against Flick’s men.

Ernesto Valverde has an excellent squad at their disposal and they are never an easy opposition to face. Especially in Bilbao, with the entire fanbase behind them, this could prove to be a daunting task for Hansi Flick’s men.

Ultimately, it could come down to how much effort Barcelona are willing to put into this game after what has already been a tiring season. The minds may already be on vacation and this could reflect on the display on the pitch.

2. An opportunity for youngsters

Ahead of the game against Athletic Bilbao, Hansi Flick called La Masia starlets Juan Hernandez and Pedro Fernandez to train with the first team and they could find themselves in the squad for the trip to Bilbao later today.

The German coach could choose to hand debuts to these youngsters, as it offers the perfect opportunity to do the same. For Flick, pre-season for the 2025/26 season has already started and this could be audition for these two youngsters.

Both these youngsters have reached this stage as a reward for their impressive performances for the youth teams. If they catch the eye of the German manager in training, there is no reason for Flick to not give them a chance.

As both Juan and Pedro play in similar positions, one wonders how Flick plans on using them against Athletic Bilbao, if at all. It could be that one of them is used from the start and one from the bench. Let’s wait and see how it plays out.

One last dance for Ansu Fati? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

3. Last dance for Fati & more?

There are a number of players in the Barcelona squad who could be playing their last games under Hansi Flick. One name who almost looks certain to leave the club sooner rather than later is Ansu Fati, who is closing in on a move to AS Monaco.

Fati did not get a chance to play against Villarreal, which might have marked his last ever appearance in front of the home crowd. However, he will be hoping that Flick gives him the chance to start against Athletic Club as one last dance.

Apart from the Spaniard, players like Pablo Torre and Pau Victor could also be playing their last games in a Blaugrana jersey. These players have hardly played any minutes under the German coach this season compared to the rest of the squad.

Fati’s story, filled with early promise and unfortunate setbacks, still resonates deeply with supporters. A farewell appearance could be a fitting end to his Barcelona chapter and a reminder of the immense potential he once symbolised.