Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona have failed to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes of their La Liga encounter at San Mames.

Neymar called Gorka Iraizoz into action in the 13th minute after the Brazilian had been found inside the box by Alexis Sanchez, only for his effort to be pushed over the bar.

The visitors continued to press forward, while at the same time restricting the hosts to very little at the other end.

However, their clearest opportunity came just after the half-hour mark when great work from Markel Susaeta set up Iker Muniain, who scuffed at Jose Manuel Pinto from close range.

Susaeta, who was proving to be a handful for Gerardo Martino's men, created another opening for Gaizka Toquero four minutes before the break, but the striker headed wide.