Champions League ambitions encourage Barcelona to gamble against Bilbao

Barcelona swept to a domestic treble last season but fell agonisingly short in the Champions League, beaten in the semi-finals by Inter Milan, making it their clear priority this year. The dream of returning to the European throne for the first time since 2015 may lead Hansi Flick’s side to take their eyes off the ball in La Liga this weekend. The Spanish champions visit Athletic Bilbao today, going into the weekend with a four-point lead on rivals Real Madrid, who were visiting Celta Vigo late last night. With Alvaro Arbeloa’s...