Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona: Confirmed Lineups for La Liga Final Matchday
The final matchday of the 2024–25 La Liga season featured a high-stakes clash between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona, held at the iconic San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 25, 2025. Fans across the USA are buzzing over the tactical decisions and player milestones from this thrilling encounter.
📌 Match Context:
- Barcelona had already secured the La Liga title.
- Athletic Club aimed to seal a strong top-four finish.
- This was the farewell match of club legend Óscar de Marcos.
Athletic Club Starting XI vs FC Barcelona
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Formation: 4–3–3 (Pressing Midfield, Width on Wings)
- GK: Unai Simón
- Defenders: Óscar de Marcos, Unai Núñez, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche
- Midfielders: Mikel Jauregizar, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Unai Gómez
- Forwards: Nico Williams, Álex Berenguer, Maroan Sannadi
🔥 Key Highlights:
- Nico Williams returned from injury and added pace on the left flank.
- Veteran Óscar de Marcos started his farewell match after 16 seasons.
- Young talent Maroan Sannadi featured up front.
📄 Source:
AS – Athletic Bilbao Lineup
FC Barcelona Starting XI vs Athletic Club
Coach: Hansi Flick
Formation: 4–3–3 (High Possession, Fast Transitions)
- GK: Iñaki Peña
- Defenders: Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araújo, Alejandro Balde
- Midfielders: Gavi, Pedri, Fermín López
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Key Players:
- Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th and 101st goals for Barcelona.
- Rising star Lamine Yamal, aged 17, started as right winger.
- Pau Cubarsí, only 17, showed composure in central defense.
Source:
AS – Barcelona Probable XI
Tactical Breakdown: How Both Lineups Played
Athletic Club Strategy
- Used wide players like Nico Williams to challenge Barça’s fullbacks.
- Maintained compact lines in midfield to frustrate Pedri and Fermín López.
- Focused on set-piece opportunities with Paredes and Núñez.
Barcelona’s Tactical Approach
- Dominated possession (76.1%) and controlled midfield tempo.
- Fullbacks Balde and García provided width and overlaps.
- Quick transitions allowed Lewandowski to exploit gaps in the final third.
Matchday Impact & USA Fan Reactions
This match was trending in the USA due to:
- Lewandowski’s double goal milestone
- Young American fans following La Liga stars like Yamal and Pedri
- Social media buzz around Óscar de Marcos’ farewell
Live commentary and analysis available from:
Player Performance Stats – Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona
| Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Shots | Key Passes | Pass Accuracy | Tackles | Rating (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 86% | 0 | 8.9 ⭐ |
| Fermín López | Barcelona | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 89% | 1 | 7.6 |
| Gavi | Barcelona | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 92% | 3 | 7.3 |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 84% | 1 | 7.1 |
| Pau Cubarsí | Barcelona | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93% | 2 | 7.5 |
| Nico Williams | Athletic Club | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 80% | 1 | 7.0 |
| Álex Berenguer | Athletic Club | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 78% | 1 | 6.5 |
| Óscar de Marcos | Athletic Club | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82% | 2 | 6.8 |
| Unai Simón (GK) | Athletic Club | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 6.2 |
| Iñaki Peña (GK) | Barcelona | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 6.9 |
Summary: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Lineups That Defined the Season Finale
Both clubs fielded competitive lineups blending experience and youth. Barcelona’s quality in midfield and finishing defined the match, while Athletic showed promise for future European campaigns.
Whether you’re tracking La Liga from Spain or the U.S., this was a perfect showcase of football’s next generation meeting established legends.