FC Barcelona is set to clash with Athletic Club in La Liga at San Mamés, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 on Saturday. Barcelona is striving for a victory to maintain a four-point lead over rivals Real Madrid, who secured a late win against Celta Vigo on Friday. Meanwhile, Athletic Club is looking to recover from their recent Copa del Rey semifinal exit against Real Sociedad and hopes to climb closer to European competition spots.

Barcelona manager Flick has made the strategic decision to rest key players Pedri and Raphinha, while welcoming back star striker Lewandowski for this crucial match. However, the team is missing other important players, including De Jong, Balde, and Koundé, which could impact their performance. On the other hand, Athletic's coach Ernesto Valverde is also managing player absences, as Nico Williams and Yeray will not feature in this match either.

The outcome of this match is particularly significant for both teams: a win for Barcelona would solidify their title chase and extend their lead over Madrid, while Athletic aims to revive their season by securing points against one of the top teams in Spain. The stakes are high as both clubs strive to achieve their respective goals in the competitive landscape of La Liga.