On December 31, 2024, Barça Atlètic faced off against Bilbao Athletic at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, drawing 2-2, which marked both the end of the year and the celebration of the club's 125th anniversary. The high-energy encounter was filled with quality football, leaving fans both exhilarated and frustrated as Barça led twice but couldn't secure the win.
The match started with both teams eager to showcase their attacking prowess. Barça struck first just 22 minutes in, when captain Aleix Garrido orchestrated a beautiful individual effort. With deft movement, he shook off his defender and finished crisply to make it 1-0, much to the delight of the home crowd. His goal not only reflected his personal comeback from injury but also energized the team.
From then on, Barça dominated possession and controlled much of the game leading up to halftime. Although they missed some golden opportunities, including Mbacke hitting the post, their lead looked secure. That was until the second half began, where the dynamics of the match dramatically changed.
Bilbao Athletic came out stronger and soon tested Barça's defense, with Aingeru Olabarrieta finding the equalizer just eight minutes after the break. A quick, powerful strike caught goalkeeper Diego Kochen off balance, leveling the score at 1-1 and shifting the momentum toward the Basques.
Despite the setback, Barça regained composure and struck again 70 minutes in. Unai Hernández unleashed a stunning shot from outside the box, putting the hosts back in front 2-1. Everyone thought the momentum was swinging back to Barça, but Bilbao had other plans. Just three minutes later, Olabarrieta capitalized on defensive lapses to deliver his second goal of the night with another unstoppable finish, tying the match 2-2.
The remaining minutes raced by, with both teams desperately pushing for the winner. Kochen, who had already made several key saves throughout the game, continued to showcase his skills, preventing another potential goal from Bilbao's Ibai Sanz with remarkable reflexes.
With the final whistle, the match concluded with both teams sharing the spoils. The result meant Barça Atlètic finished the year with 22 points, maintaining their mid-table standing without any home victory since September.
This match was not only pivotal for points but also served as a vibrant reminder of the community spirit and rich history surrounding Barça as they celebrated 125 years of football.
Reflecting on the game, coach Albert Sánchez noted the ups and downs faced by his squad during the season, emphasizing the need to build on the encouraging aspects of their performance as they prepared for the upcoming break and the new challenges awaiting them.
Next, Barça Atlètic will visit Cultura Leonesa on January 11, 2025, with hopes of returning to winning ways after the festive break. The encounter with Bilbao Athletic left fans hopeful, albeit with the realization of the team's need for resilience moving forward.
