(Football news) Athletic Club defeated FC Barcelona 3-2 after extra time. Barcelona have potentially bottled their best chance of winning a piece of silverware. Now they only have the Europa League to fight for as winning the La Liga is almost impossible now. Finishing in the top 4 will also be a challenge for Xavi.

Barcelona lined up with their usual 4-3-3 and Martin Braithwaite returned to the bench. Marcelino benched star man Inaki Williams but started his brother Nico Willliams on the right wing. Nico Willliams set up Iker Muniain almost straight from kick off as Athletic Club took an early lead. Ferran Torres scored his first goal for Barcelona as he equalized in the 20th minute. The game was well poised and equally balanced. 

Bilbao took advantage of their set piece prowess as Inigo Martinez scored in the 86th minute. 2 minutes later Alex Berenguer looked to have won it but was flagged offside. Barcelona were all set to go out but Pedri scored with almost the last kick of normal time to send the game into extra time. Ansu Fati who just came back from an injury was brought on in the 61st minute. He once again injured himself and was taken off. Bilbao took charge of the game in extra time and were rewarded as they won a penalty after Jordi Alba was judged to have handled the ball in the box. Captain Munian stepped up and slotted the penalty home in the 105th minute. Barcelona couldn't create a decent chance as the game ended 3-2.

Barcelona's season keeps getting worse and the arrival of Xavi seems to have made no difference whatsoever to put it lightly. Barcelona's priority needs to be to finish in the top 4 which is probably the best they can do domestically. The Europa League will be a different story where they will play an in-form Napoli side in the Round of 32. Their next game is away at Deportivo Alaves in the League. Athletic Club on the other hand will travel to Rayo Vallecano.

Also read: 10-man Real Madrid come back from a goal down to beat Elche in extra time