Barcelona had to concede the draw against Athletic Bilbao (1-1) at home. It’s his third game in a row without a win.
Bad week for Barça: after having made a draw against Gerone (2-2) and lost to Leganés (1-2), the Blaugranas have once again dropped points by conceding the draw against Athletic Bilbao (1-1). Two points in three matches is too little for Barcelona, who could see Atlético or Real take its place as leader this Saturday night, on the occasion of the Madrid derby (20h45). Given the situation, fortunately Munir, well served by Messi who started on the bench (see below), equalized late in the game (83′). He prevented Bilbao, who had opened the scoring thanks to De Marcos (41′), from winning but especially from plunging the catalan club into the crisis.
As is often the case at Camp Nou, Barça fell on a low block. His performance was not bad, but he did not know how to convert his many opportunities. Before the break, Suarez (25th) and Coutinho (44th) hit the basque goalkeeper Unai Simón, who was very decisive on his line. The combined entry of Messi and Busquets accentuated the Catalan domination, but he always missed something : a bit of luck for Coutinho (62′) and Messi (77′) who hit the bar and the post, and of accuracy for Dembélé and Suarez. On the other hand, Bilbao suffered without Inigo Martinez, released on injury.
On the other hand, Barcelona is still as fragile behind. Samuel Umtiti is injured and it is felt : the pair composed of Frenchman Clément Lenglet and Spanish Gérard Piqué suffered against the speed of Inaki Williams, not far from 2-0 without a decisive return of Semedo (74′).
The fact: Messi started on the bench
For the first time this season, the Argentinean started the game on the bench. Three days after the loss to Léganes (1-2), and in anticipation of the clash with Tottenham in the champions League on Wednesday (9: 00 p.m.), Barca coach Ernesto Valverde had decided to spare his captain. The Pulga, which replaced Arturo Vidal under the Ovation Of Camp Nou (55′), is at the origin of the Barcelona burst : he hit the post (77′) before delivering a pass to Munir (84′).