Copa Del Rey : Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona

Holders take a significant step towards the semi-finalsMunir El Haddadi and Neymar were on target for Barcelona as the defending champions put one foot in the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey after a narrow 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.Sans Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the trip to the Basque country, the Blaugrana made light of their absence when they raced to a 2-0 lead inside the first 25 minutes. Munir broke the deadlock after latching on to a cross from Ivan Rakitic before Neymar put the visitors in the driving seat 6 minutes later.The tie was all but over for Los Leones, but striker Artiz Aduriz sparked some hope when he halved the deficit with just a minute of normal time remaining. Barcelona were still unfazed, though, as they hold a crucial one-goal advantage going into the second leg at Camp Nou next week.Here are some of the major issues that shaped the game.

#1 Bilbao refuse to learn their lesson

On Sunday in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao were given a battering by Barcelona when the hosts plonked on them with 6 goals. The visitors were reduced to 10-men within just 5 minutes on the clock when ‘keeper Gorka Iraizoz fouled Suarez into the box, collecting himself a red. Bilbao, for the rest of the game, still made a few sly tackles that could have caused them more problems.

In the Copa fixture last evening, the Basque outfit were once again on it, making some dangerous tackles and fouls that could have had the same repercussions as at the weekend but were lucky to escape this time.

The match official of this game put the premium only on caution, brandishing only yellow cards even in the cases where it should have been a red. For the second game running, Bilbao were dangerously running the risk of going a man down for all their terrible challenges on the visitors, but courtesy to the modesty shown by the referee, they were saved the blushes this time.

#2 Neymar gives a peek into the future

Neymar shines without Messi and Suarez in action

With Lionel Messi absent as a precautionary measure and Luis Suarez serving the first of his 2-game suspension, the spotlight naturally fell on the last pillar of the prolific attacking triumvirate, Neymar, who lead the line in their absence. And suffice to say, the Brazilian starlet stepped up to the plate.

The 23-year old was involved in both the goals for his side and dispatched a clinical show in the attacking third. Neymar fed Arda from near the area, who the released Rakitic as the Croat delivered an exquisite cross for Munir to slid home for the opener. Just 8 minutes later, the former Santos man got among the goals himself when he made a meal of goalkeeper Iago Herrerin’s failure to claim a pass and slotted home an easy finish.

Neymar is touted to be the natural heir to Lionel Messi at Barcelona, and with another sterling performance, has given us a peek into what lies in the future at Catalonia.

#3 Roberto takes versatility to a new level

Another position, another masterclass from Sergi Roberto

Barcelona youngster Sergi Roberto has been a utility player of sorts for manager Luis Enrique, who has played him at 7 different position this season, but has never been left disappointed. In this game, the 23-year old was deployed as a left-back, holding the fort in the absence of the injured Jordi Alba, and pulled off yet another zinger.

Roberto cut an inspiring figure down the left wing, bombing forward at every opportunity whilst also performing the defensive duties with vivacity. Coach Enrique must have been left with a dilemma as to what is his actual position.

The La Masia graduate has been terrific all season, playing optimally wherever he was asked to operate from. With yet another eye-catching show, now in his 7^th different position of the season, has taken versatility to a new level altogether.

#4 Eraso sticks out like a sore thumb again

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Eraso drew a lot of flak towards himself after his horrible show in the 6-0 defeat at Camp Nou on Sunday. The 25-year old made some poor tackles, failed to get his marker and appeared out of sorts. Now in the sides second meeting in 4 days, he stuck out like a sore thumb again.

Eraso was responsible for some terrible challenges through the course of the game and also made some really bad clearances. He may have been worked well behind Aduriz, supplying the balls upfront, but too often gave away possession cheaply and also allowed the visitors a lot of space to create something.

Eraso was in the light for all the wrong reasons again and manager Ernesto Valverde may be compelled to reconsider his chances in the first-team if he continues like this.

#5 Despite the goal, Athletic left with a mountain to climb

Athletic Bilbao on their way out despite late heroics from Aritz Aduriz

With Barcelona cruising to a 2-0 away victory that would have most certainly killed the tie there and there itself, Bilbao talisman Aritz Aduriz popped with his 5th goal against the Catalans this season in the penultimate minute to give some ray of hope for the home side. But in all honesty, it may still not be enough.

Just one-goal deficit going into the second leg rather seems not too much of a problem and can reversed, but considering that the return leg will be at Camp Nou, where The Liones haven’t won in years, makes it all the more improbable.

Barcelona are most likely to rest several key players for the second leg keeping in mind the crucial league game against Atletico Madrid that follows, but the chasm of quality between the two sides is such that the holders will see them off with little difficulty, just like they did in this game.