Athletic Bilbao places a strong emphasis on quick counter-defense when transitioning from attack to defense. Once they lose possession, all players must immediately retreat to defense in order to gain numerical superiority and thus stifle the opponent's fast counterattacks. Midfielders play a crucial role in this process, not only defending against the opposition's midfielders but also assisting the defensive line.
When facing set-piece attacks from the opposition, Athletic Bilbao has a tight defensive plan. They assign specific personnel to mark key players of the opposition and organize their defensive formation to limit the opponent's shooting and heading attempts. Goalkeeper Unai Simon, with his quick reflexes and strong aerial ability, is a vital component of the team's set-piece defense.
Barcelona's defense focuses on maintaining a compact backline and working together as a unit. The defensive and midfield lines are closely connected, compressing the opponent's attacking space through proper positioning and mutual support. For instance, when dealing with long balls from the opposition, Barcelona's midfielders quickly drop back to form multiple layers of defense with the backline, successfully thwarting the opponent's advances.
Barcelona adapts its defensive strategy flexibly based on the opponent's formation and tactics. When encountering a 4-3-3 formation, they focus on marking the opponent's central midfielder to restrict their passing and organization. Against a 5-3-2 formation, they utilize their numerical advantage in midfield to apply double-team pressure, effectively controlling the opponent's attack.
Barcelona holds an advantage in overall strength and historical encounters. Looking at the comprehensive data, it is more likely that Barcelona will win this match, with an expected score of 0-3.