Barcelona’s ‘Nico Williams stopper’ silences Blaugrana transfer target once again | OneFootball

A leading member of the defensive ranks at Barcelona continued to prove himself the club’s own ‘Nico Williams stopper’ on Saturday night.

As much came owing to developments in Barca’s La Liga meeting with Athletic Club.

Hansi Flick’s troops marked their return to action a short time ago, welcoming Athletic to Catalunya’s capital with sights set on a 2nd win from two to start the campaign.

And, when all was said and done, this is precisely what the Blaugrana managed.

Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski proved themselves the difference-makers when it comes to the result, notching either side of the interval en route to a 2-1 final scoreline.

At the other end of the pitch, though, another member of Flick’s ranks was shining bright once more.

After dominating his individual battle with Nico Williams during the meeting between France and Spain at this summer’s European Championships, Jules Koundé repeated the trick on Saturday.

Pitted against the explosive wide-man and known Barca transfer target on the hosts’ right flank, Koundé stood his ground time and time again.

In fact, limiting Nico’s influence to nothing of real significance, the 25-year-old was not dribbled past by the Athletic talisman on a single occasion over the course of the 90 minutes.

Conor Laird | GSFN