Published on : 18/01/2021 – 07:39
Lionel Messi, superstar and captain of FC Barcelona, was excluded a few seconds before the end of extra time in the final of the Spanish Supercup lost 3 to 2 against Athletic Bilbao in Seville, the first red card of his career at Barça .
Deprived of any title since his coronation in the Spanish league assured in April 2019, Barça faces yet another disappointment. FC Barcelona lost, Sunday, January 17, in the final of the Spanish Supercup (2-3) against Athletic Bilbao. The meeting was marked by the red card sent to Lionel Messi for violent conduct (120e+1), the first of his career under the colors of the Blaugranas.
A few seconds before the final whistle (120e), the star striker slapped Basque striker Asier Villalibre with his right hand, after the two players hung on. The referee, Gil Manzano, went to watch the action on the video screen, then returned to the pitch to send a direct red card to Lionel Messi, probably frustrated after a half-hearted performance.
This is a historical fact for Barça and for the six-time Ballon d’Or. This is the first exclusion in Messi’s career in an official match with Barça, with whom he has played 753 games. However, he had already been excluded twice with the Argentine selection, during his big debut and in the Copa America semi-final against Chile in 2019.
On the other hand, the stars were aligned for Athletic Bilbao. Thanks to a magnificent curled shot from the right that kissed the post before entering Marc-André ter Stegen’s net, Williams presented a first trophy to his brand new coach Marcelino, who arrived on January 3.
Previously, the two teams had neutralized each other with a double from Antoine Griezmann (40e, 77e) on the Catalan side, and two saving goals from Oscar de Marcos (42e) at a few moments before the break and Unai Villalibre (90e) just before the end of normal time on the Basque side.
A double but no title for Griezmann
The misfortunes of Frenchman Antoine Griezmann continue in Seville. While the image of the evening will remain this perfect roll up of Williams, the story of the night will be that of the sad story of “Grizou”.
Remained silent since November 29, the French striker had offered a glimpse of his rebirth with his double against Granada on January 9 (4-0). On Sunday, Griezmann was positioned to the left of Lionel Messi in the blaugrana attack with Ousmane Dembélé (right), but his new double was useless.
“We are sad, angry, embarrassed … all that. When you lose a final, you feel all the bad feelings that can be”, regretted the striker tricolor after the meeting.
After a mixed start to the season, where the Catalan club was shaken by the desire to leave Messi, the resignation of ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and a failed start in the league, the double of the French world champion was not enough to allow Barça to win their first trophy in more than a year and a half … And delayed the confirmation of the rebirth of the Catalan club under the aegis of Ronald Koeman.
For Athletic Bilbao, this success is a real breath: stuck in the 12e place of the Spanish championship and after sacking his coach Gaizka Garitano at the end of December, Athletic gave a glimpse of what he is capable of doing in great moments. Three months before approaching the final of the Copa del Rey 2020 (postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic), on April 4, 2021 against Real Sociedad.
With AFP
.
