Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao: 5 hits and flops as Lionel Messi's magical free-kick lifts Blaugrana | La Liga 2020-21

Hit: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

Frenkie de Jong was simply unstoppable for Barcelona on Sunday

Frenkie de Jong's adaptation process at Barcelona appears to be over, and he is now ready to become a key cog in Ronald Koeman's plans.

The Dutchman, who only impressed in bits and parts in his debut campaign, has looked more and more at home this season.

Frenkie de Jong in the first half. pic.twitter.com/PJHa4FcqOM

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 31, 2021

Sunday's performance proved this as the former Ajax man ran the rules in the midfield with poise and electric energy.

Starting in a double pivot at the base of the midfield alongside Miralem Pjanic, he was the key to regaining possession.

De Jong completed an astounding 94% of his passes and won two aerial duels as he turned in his best shift of this calendar year.

Flop: Yuri Berchiche (Athletic Bilbao)

Yuri Berchiche didn't look fit after recovering from a vertigo problem

Athletic Bilbao's full-backs, especially Yuri Berchiche, offered no edge to their attack and folded easily under pressure.

While he showed commitment in driving forward, his crosses were too often overhit, leaving Williams rooted to the ground.

On the defensive front, the left-back tried to press some players in possession but without ever making a tackle or a block.

23' Athletic look to react. @yuriberchiche tries his luck, but Ter Stegen saves.1-0 I #BarçaAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/vhjkd3WG8I

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) January 31, 2021

His passes seemed wayward too, as he misplaced plenty of them to finish the match with a 78% success.

Berchiche only recovered from a vertigo issue recently, so perhaps he might not be at his best yet. Either way, this was a sluggish and sloppy performance from the 30-year old.

Hit: Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona)

Antoine Griezmann was on target against Athletic Bilbao again but this time he won the match for Barcelona

In a rather welcome sight for the Blaugrana faithful, Antoine Griezmann turned in a good shift in the attack for Barcelona and even capped his performance with a match-winning goal.

He looked sharp all night and linked up brilliantly with Messi during the opening stanza with some neat, one-touch football.

With the Catalans amping up the pressure after Alba's own goal, the Frenchman continued to take up good positions in attacking areas and was rewarded for the same.

#Griezmann has started 2021 swimmingly well. He’s been involved in 8 goals (5 scored, 3 assists) in his last 7 games. Plus he’s looking much happier, more associative and able to make the impact many have asked of him. Still room for improvement, but on the right path. pic.twitter.com/QXZBHO6ERA

— Semra Hunter (@SemraHunter) January 31, 2021

Oscar Mingueza squared a hooked cross from Messi onto an unmarked Griezmann. The Frenchman had the goal gaping in front of him and made no mistake, tapping home one of his easiest strikes.

With the match-winner, Griezmann brings his tally to 10 goals for the season in all competitions, including six in La Liga.