The game against Athletic Bilbao made several things quite clear for Barcelona. The Catalans ultimately emerged as 1-0 victors from an intense clash and now have all three points from that game to their name heading into their upcoming matches.
Ultimately, it was only the goal by Marc Guiu that separated both the Basque and Catalan teams. As such, much of the praise and adoration went towards the 17-year-old forward. Others, such as Joao Felix, were also heavily praised and commended for their excellent performances against Bilbao.
However, one man who deserves much more praise is Inigo Martinez, as per Mundo Deportivo. The former Athletic Club defender got the second start of his Barcelona career against his old side. While there may have been doubts due to his lackluster display against RCD Mallorca, there were none against Bilbao.
The 32-year-old veteran defender was immense with his defensive performance. Winning duels, staying positionally vigilant, and ensuring no slip-ups took place, Martinez was intent on repairing his own reputation.
Through his performance, he showcased why Xavi wanted him at Barcelona. Moreover, one of the key traits of his that he put on display was his passing ability. Consistently dishing out powerful and accurate long passes to his teammates, he was key in breaking apart the Bilbao lines and forcing them to feel vulnerable almost at a moment’s notice.
With this performance now tied to his name, he will likely get even more opportunities. MD believes that he may just now be in contention to start against Shakhtar Donetsk as well. Playing for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League is a massive privilege, and it seems Martinez may have earned just that.
