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Barcelona defeat to Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on friday 16th-August-2019, Laliga opener |
without Lionel Messi in the pitch and Luis Suarez suffering a first-half injury, Barcelona were poor in their 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona lost Luis Suarez to injury as a stunning late goal from Aritz Aduriz secured a 1-0 win for Athletic Bilbao in Friday's 16th-August-2019 LaLiga opener.
Barca were struggling for early rhythm but were gifted a chance 31 minutes in, Suarez collecting Unai Lopez's reckless backwards pass and striking the base of the left-hand post.
It proved Suarez's last act of the game, the striker unable to continue due to an apparent calf injury, and his replacement Rafinha promptly hit the crossbar with a dipping strike moments after coming on.
The loss of Suarez to a first-half muscle problem only compounded what proved a frustrating outing for the visitors, who twice hit the woodwork before Aduriz's 89th-minute overhead kick secured all three points.
What does it mean?
For all their attacking talent, Messi still makes the difference Even with Suarez, Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele on the pitch, Messi's absence was felt from the get-go in Bilbao.
The loss of Suarez did not help matters, but Barca offered a stark lack of creativity without their club captain. Whether Coutinho could have helped is another matter. Perhaps this is a performance that underlines why Barca are apparently eager to bring back Neymar
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| Ter Stegen |
Ter Stegen stops a poor Barca from being worse He did not exactly have lots to do, but Ter Stegen executed his tasks with customary efficiency, saving well from Williams and dealing confidently with crosses aimed at Raul Garcia.
He could do nothing about the goal. Griezmann goes missing With Messi out, Suarez forced off and Coutinho seemingly on the way out, this was Griezmann's chance to make a real statement on his competitive Barca debut. It certainly did not happen.
Ivan Rakitic was introduced at the break and sent a good strike narrowly over the crossbar, but Barca's build-up play was sorely lacking in attack despite their dominance of possession.
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Acrobatic Aduriz downs Dismal Champions |
Their miserable outing was made worse with a minute of normal time left, as Aduriz, off the bench barely 60 seconds earlier, met Ander Capa's cross with a stunning bicycle kick to seal the three points.
What's next?
Barca host Real Betis next Sunday, the day after Athletic head to Getafe.
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