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La Liga | Gameweek 23
Feb 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Suarez hails goalkeeper Ter Stegen after Barcelona claim point

Suarez hails goalkeeper Ter Stegen after Barcelona claim point
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The German saved from Markel Susaeta and Inaki Williams in an impressive display.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez saluted "one of the best in the world" after watching goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen deny Athletic Bilbao victory.

The Germany international produced saves from Markel Susaeta and Inaki Williams either side of half-time as Bilbao held LaLiga leaders Barca to a 0-0 draw at the Estadio San Mames on Sunday evening.

Suarez told LaLiga TV: "He's one of the best in the world, no question. He showed it again – that's why he's the Barcelona keeper."

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde was equally impressed by his goalkeeper, and particularly his stop from Williams eight minutes from time.

He said: "He's made some amazing saves, especially the last one, it was incredible."

It proved to be a frustrating night for the leaders as they started and finished slowly and when they were on top, struggled to find their usual cutting edge.

Messi, who has been nursing a thigh injury, was laboured in his attempts to make the impact he normally does as he found himself tightly and robustly marked, often to his clear frustration, while Philippe Coutinho was also off-key.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde saw his side misfire at Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde saw his side misfire at Athletic Bilbao (Nick Potts/PA)

Valverde said: "We couldn't really get going in the last third of the field. We thought the game would have more rhythm and it just didn't turn out like that.

"We're just responsible for what we do and I think in general, we should have created more than we did. They pressed us high, but we did get through that and we did get through to their box.

"But then that left us exposed to counter-attacks and they created problems."

The visitors now sit six points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, while their hosts eased themselves four clear of the drop zone with a more than creditable result.

Indeed, Athletic boss Gaizka Garitano was left wondering what might have been after seeing his players create more than enough chances to win the game, only to be thwarted repeatedly by Ter Stegen.

Garitano said: "When you get a point against Barcelona, you should be happy. They dominated things more in the second half and Ter Stegen had a terrific game.

"In the first half an hour (of the second half), we suffered more, but they didn't create a lot of chances.

"We're happy with a point, but looking at the chances we had, we could have won it."

Bilbao have lost one of the nine league games they have played since Garitano replaced Eduardo Berizzo in December, although he is refusing to be carried away by that run.

The manager said: "All the games in LaLiga are difficult. Even if you defend well, if you don't score, you are going to suffer. But we'll just keep working hard."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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