Barcelona could not use the opportunity

Barcelona could not capitalize on the opportunities provided by Real Madrid's draw and second-placed Girona's loss. Rather, the Catalan giants have to stay in three as before with a goalless draw with Atlético Bilbao.

In the La Liga match, the organized defense and occasional counter-attacks of Bilbao have caused Barca a lot of trouble. On the contrary, Xavi Hernandez's team could not do anything despite being far ahead in possession and attack. Huao Cancelo took the most likely shot from 40 yards. But the opponent's center-back Yere Alvarez returned the ball from the goal line.

Athletic Bilbao's goal was to earn a point. Which is why it was part of their gameplan not to allow Barca to attack. However, Portuguese full-back Cancelo's long-range shot could have turned the game around. Barca could have left the field with a sure victory if the goalkeeper could somehow touch Alvarez from the goal line.

Second-placed Girona lost to Mallorca in their last match. As a result, if they win tomorrow, Barca would have risen to the second place. Again, Real drew 2-2 with Valencia. As a result, Barca had a chance to reduce the points gap to 6. But as the result was a draw, they had to stay with those three and their points gap with Real also remained at 8. Bilbao, on the other hand, is five.

Barca will face Napoli in the return leg of the last sixteen of the Champions League on March 12. But before that, they have been hit hard. In the Bilbao match, two important members of the team, Frankie de Jong and Pedri, left the field with injuries. They are unlikely to play against Napoli.