Athletic Bilbao welcomed Barcelona to San Mames on the opening weekend of the La Liga season on Sunday.
Lionel Messi had the chance to send Barcelona 1-0 ahead from the penalty spot moments after the half-hour mark, but the Argentine was denied by Gorka Iraizoz.
The visitors did open the scoring early in the second period, however, when Luis Suarez volleyed home from close range.
Bilbao pressed for a leveller late on, but could not find a response as Barcelona claimed all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Athletic Bilbao versus Barcelona – here we go again! These two teams recently met in the Spanish Super Cup, but their focus now switches to the start of the new La Liga season. Bilbao will have the bragging rights after winning the Super Cup last week, but this is where the real business starts. Let's hope for another brilliant 90 minutes of action – their last two meetings were not too bad!
Just a quick word on Real Madrid, who open their La Liga season away to Sporting Gijon later this evening. Be sure to stay with me for that one, with the build-up due to start immediately after the final whistle at San Mames. It is a big night of football on the opening weekend of the new Spanish season and I am hoping for goals. All five La Liga matches this season have only produced two goals!
Without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Balenziaga, Laporte, Elustondo; Benat, Rico; Eraso, Susaeta, Sabin; Aduriz
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Rafinha
So there we have it. Bilbao are still without the likes of Mikel San Jose, Ander Iturraspe and Iker Muniain through injury, while Kike Sola is suspended this afternoon. There is a full league debut at left-back for summer signing Gorka Elustondo, however, while youngsters Javier Eraso and Sabin Merino are selected in support of Aritz Aduriz. Inaki Williams is not deemed fit to start here.
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As for Barcelona, Jeremy Mathieu and Gerard Pique are both suspended, while Neymar and Adriano miss out through injury. Jordi Alba is fit to return, however, with the Spaniard starting at left-back. Rafinha, meanwhile, is given a starting role in attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
These two teams must be getting sick of the sight of each other at the moment. As mentioned, the pair recently met in the Spanish Super Cup and both legs brought drama. Bilbao recorded a stunning 4-0 victory in the first leg on August 14, before claiming the trophy for the first time in over 30 years with a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou in the return match. Over the course of the 180 minutes, Bilbao were the better team and very much deserved the glory, of that there is no doubt.
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It has been a different story in La Liga, however, with Bilbao losing each of their last three league games against Barcelona. Indeed, the Basque outfit have only won one of their last nine league meetings with Barcelona at San Mames – losing four times in the process. Last season, Barcelona were 2-0 winners at the Camp Nou, before recording an impressive 5-2 victory at San Mames in February.
The pair also met in the final of the Copa del Rey at the end of last season and it was Barcelona that recorded a 3-1 victory. While the Spanish Super Cup was an excellent triumph for Bilbao, this is where the real business starts. The chance to put one over on the defending champions on the opening weekend of the season is a big carrot for Ernesto Valverde's team, but it is also a big ask.
Interestingly though, Bilbao have only won one of their last six league openers when starting at home. Barcelona, on the other hand, have started with a win in each of their last six campaigns – scoring 26 times in the process and conceding just once. What's more, Barcelona have scored more goals against Bilbao (319) than any other opponent in La Liga history. Pretty ominous statistics there!
However, Bilbao will enter this game full of confidence. They struggled to balance Champions League football and domestic duties in the first half of last season, but a strong end to the campaign saw them claim seventh. Valverde's team are also actually unbeaten in their last seven league matches - they have not gone eight in a row without defeat since November 2011.
It has been a busy build-up to the new season for Bilbao, who have played 11 matches since the end of the 2014-15 campaign. Just six of those games have been friendlies, with their Europa League campaign very much underway. The Basque side overcame Inter Baku in the third qualifying round and they were in European action as recent as Thursday, when they lost 3-2 to Zilina in the first leg of their playoff.
As for Barcelona, there are a number of question marks entering the new season, which seems incredible for a team that won the treble last term. Not too much can be read into the recent Spanish Super Cup defeat, but they also almost threw the European Super Cup away against Sevilla, when they conceded three times in the final 30 minutes to draw the match 4-4 in normal time. Eventually they won the trophy in extra-time, but it was still a worrying collapse from a defensive aspect.
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Barcelona's pre-season results were also been quite disappointing – losing to the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Fiorentina, while they could only beat LA Galaxy 2-1 at the start of their US Tour. Head coach Luis Enrique has had to face some difficult questions in the build-up to this match, but it remains to be seen what happens on the field. Not long until kickoff at San Mames now.
Barcelona's defensive struggles in pre-season have been all the more surprising when considering that they boasted the best defensive record in La Liga last term – conceding just 21 times in their 38 league games. Their back four and goalkeeper suddenly looked a solid unit, and that might well still be the case. Indeed, the Catalan outfit have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven league games.
What's more, a team that has Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar in their ranks stands a chance. This sensational front three hit 122 goals between them last season...
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Warm up at San Mamés https://t.co/I0ARHJY2dL #FCBLive #AthleticFCB #VineFCB
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 23, 2015
Barcelona might still be under a transfer ban until January, but they have managed to sign a couple of new players this summer. Arda Turan has arrived from Atletico Madrid, while Aleix Vidal has made the move from Sevilla. Pedro to Chelsea has been their biggest departure, but bright young talent Adama Traore has also been allowed to leave for Stoke City. Right, prediction time from San Mames!
PREDICTION! Bilbao will enter this match full of confidence following the Spanish Super Cup, but I just have a feeling for Barcelona here. The onus will be on Messi and Suarez due to the absence of Neymar and I am backing both players to score in a 2-1 victory for the visitors.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action. It is a massive game for both teams and as expected, the atmosphere is just electric at San Mames.
KICK OFF! Just a reminder that Real Madrid go to Sporting Gijon later this evening, but our immediate focus is on Bilbao against Barcelona. It is the home side that get the first period underway...
... you just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this afternoon. As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges at San Mames.
It must be said that the pitch at San Mames is in a wonderful condition - perfect surface for a team that likes to pass the football, which is the case for both sides. Not too much to report in terms of serious action in the opening four minutes, but Barcelona are enjoying the majority of the ball.
Barcelona continue to look after the ball in a defensive area, but the Catalan outfit have been unable to make their mark further forward thus far. Bilbao, meanwhile, have dropped deep early on here.
It is not too surprising that Bilbao are being fairly cautious in the early exchanges, while Barcelona's confidence will not exactly be gleaming at the moment. Nothing much to report thus far here.
Aduriz gets caught by Iniesta's elbow and stays on the ground, but does return to his feet following a period of treatment. It was a crunching challenge from the Bilbao man on Iniesta!
Well, 12 minutes on the clock and in truth, not a lot has happened at San Mames. Barcelona are still passing and probing in the Bilbao half, but neither team has been able to break the lines thus far. Dani Alves and Jordi Alba have been fairly conservative in terms of getting forward early on.
Messi receives a telling-off for a crunching challenge on Balenziaga. Oh Lionel!
Messi has started to come wide in a bid to see more of the ball, but Bilbao are doing a good job of pressing the Argentine. The referee, meanwhile, has been busy in the last few moments as late challenges continue to arrive. Still no opportunities of any sort with 15 minutes on the clock.
Alves is on the ground clutching his... well, private parts. The Brazilian lost possession in a dangerous area, but the home side could not capitalise. Stop-start game at the moment here.
It has not really happened for Barcelona thus far as Rafinha is the latest player to lose possession in the final third. Suarez has hardly had a touch thus far, which is credit to Bilbao's back four.
Looks like Barcelona are going to have to make a change here...
... BARCA SUB: Sergi Roberto replaces Alves at right-back.
Barcelona are moving the ball quicker in the final third, but Bilbao are so compact defensively that the visitors are struggling to create an opening. Still we wait for the first shot on goal here.
Better from Barcelona as Iniesta and Messi both have attempts blocked inside the Bilbao box, moments before the visitors had a claim for a penalty following a handball from Elustondo.
Bilbao have a free kick in an advanced position as Benat is felled by Suarez...
... CLOSE! Benat's delivery is met by Aduriz, but his header drops wide.
The pace of the match has just livened up in the last couple of minutes, with Bilbao pressing higher up the field. As for Barcelona, they cannot get the likes of Suarez and Messi in the game here.
PENALTY BARCELONA!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Suarez is adjudged to have been clipped inside the box by Elustondo - not sure about that one! It was very soft indeed and Bilbao cannot believe it!
SAVE! Messi steps up and his spot kick is saved by Iraizoz! Super stop!
That is the 14th time that Messi has missed from the penalty spot, which is quite incredible. In truth, justice has been served as the award of the spot kick was very questionable indeed. Still goalless, but it is a much better game at the moment as we approach the final 10 minutes of the first half.
Barcelona have not been at their best thus far tonight, but Bilbao have also struggled to make their mark in the final third, with Bravo simply having nothing to do in the Barcelona goal thus far.
BOOKING! Elustondo (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
CHANCE! Barcelona come close to taking the lead as Roberto drives down the right before feeding a low cross into Suarez, but his effort is saved by Iraizoz. The pressure continues as Rafinha delivers from the opposite side, but there are no takers. Bilbao living dangerously!
Laporte fells Messi and Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area...
... straight into the wall from Messi, but another set piece is awarded for handball!
BOOKING! Eraso (Bilbao) is booked for handball.
Take two for Messi, but it is the same outcome as the wall stands strong!
It has not quite been the first half that Messi would have wanted, but the Argentine has been involved in everything that Barcelona have done in the final third. Bilbao, meanwhile, are struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third, with Aduriz lacking serious support in the middle.
Good defending from Vermaelen as the Belgian is forced to clear a dangerous cross from Susaeta, who has not seen too much of the ball in this first period. The resulting corner is delivered towards the centre of the box, but Rakitic is the first to react and clear what was a dangerous situation.
Half-chance for Barcelona this time as Messi delivers a super ball into Suarez, who turns and attempts to find the back of the net, but Elustondo makes a vital block to clear for a corner.
BOOKING! Rakitic (Barcelona) is booked for a high challenge on Sabin.
Three additional minutes have been added at the end of this first period.
Not too much to report in stoppage time at the end of the half, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Looks like we will enter the break on level terms here.
HALF-TIME: Bilbao 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Barcelona had the chance to score from the penalty spot after 31 minutes, but Messi's low strike was kept out by Iraizoz. The visitors have shaded the match, but clear chances have been at a premium.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 74%, while they have had seven attempts - two of which have been on target. As for Bilbao, they only hit the target with one of their five first-half attempts. There have also been three bookings in what has been a spicy first period.
BENCH WATCH! Both managers are without a number of key players this evening and that is shown by their respective benches. Ibai Gomez and Borja Viguera are available for Bilbao, but it is a mostly inexperienced bench. As for Barcelona, they have already been forced into one change, but Sandro Ramirez and Munir El-Haddadi are their attacking options from the sidelines.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second 45 minutes of action here. Let's hope for some goals as Barca restart the game at San Mames...
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 15 minutes.
Quite a scrappy start to this second period in the middle of the park as both teams battle for possession of the ball. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there is one - could be vital.
BILBAO SUB: Bilbao are forced into a change as Boveda replaces the injured Balenziaga.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Messi is starting to see more of the ball in the final third, which is good news for the visitors and bad news for Bilbao. Still we wait for the first goal of the match as we approach the 54th minute here.
GOAL! Bilbao 0-1 Barcelona (Suarez)
Barcelona take the lead in the 54th minute at San Mames as Suarez volleys home a super cross from Alba. The striker was left all alone inside the penalty area and was simply not going to miss!
Bilbao just need to be careful now as Barcelona continue to commit players forward, with Messi finding more and more space in the final third. Still plenty of time for the score to change here, but Bilbao have struggled to make their mark in an attacking sense thus far this evening.
CROSSBAR! Barcelona come close to scoring a second as a wonderful passing move leads to Roberto trying his luck from the right, but the Spaniard's effort smashes the top of the crossbar!
Bilbao are preparing to make a double change here...
... BILBAO SUBS: Gurpegi and Ibai Gomez replace Rico and Sabin.
BOOKING! Vermaelen (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Aduriz.
Busquets takes a strong challenge from Aduriz in the middle of the park and it appears that the Spaniard might not be able to continue. It was an accidental clash if anything there.
Busquets will leave the field injured here - it looks quite serious...
... BARCA SUB: Marc Bartra replaces Busquets.
Not an awful lot for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment as Barcelona continue to dominate possession in all areas of the field. Little over 20 minutes of normal time to play.
BOOKING! Ibai Gomez (Bilbao) is booked for a tug on Rakitic.
Eraso wants a penalty after bursting into the Barcelona box and going down under a challenge from Vermaelen, but the offside flag had already been raised. That woke up the Bilbao supporters!
You just get the feeling that there will be another big chance in the final 15 minutes of this match. Barcelona have been far from their best, but do lead as we approach the latter stages in Bilbao.
BOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked following a clash with Gurpegi.
Roberto does excellently to drive into the Bilbao box after another breakaway down the right, but the Spaniard cannot slide a pass into Messi and the danger is cleared. Bilbao are down the other end moments later with Susaeta, but his powerful strike is straight into the stands. Still 1-0 Barca.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, with both teams committing numbers each time they break into the final third. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining at San Mames.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side to level as Ibai Gomez meets a bouncing ball inside the Barcelona box, but his effort clears the crossbar. What an opportunity!
BARCA SUB: Sandro Ramirez replaces Rafinha for the visitors.
Barcelona seem to have another injury problem as Iniesta goes down following a challenge with Elustondo. All three changes have been made by Luis Enrique - it looked nasty for Iniesta!
Iniesta is back on his feet. Five minutes to play and Barcelona still lead 1-0.
This would be a very big three points for Barcelona if they can hold on in the final moments here. Just a reminder that next up is Sporting Gijon at home to Rafael Benitez's Real Madrid.
Vintage Messi as the Barcelona forward dances past a whole host of challenges before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Iraizoz is on hand to make the save. Time is running out here.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes!
Suarez stays down following a strong challenge from Elustondo, who is on a yellow card. That wastes more valuable minutes as Barcelona close on an opening-weekend win tonight.
Bravo collects a long-range strike from Laporte as Barcelona get closer to a win here.
FULL-TIME: Bilbao 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. Suarez's second-half volley is enough for Barcelona to record a 1-0 win at Bilbao on the opening weekend of the La Liga season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stay with me for Sporting Gijon against Real Madrid, which is coming up!
