At the top of winning tough fights Barcelona

At the top of winning tough fights Barcelona

In the previous three matches, Barcelona did not see the net against the team. I have had to get the bitter taste of the rate twice this season. Fear arose again of losing points against Athletic Bilbao. Ivan Rakitic, the savior of Barcelona, scored a great goal.

Kiki Setien's side won the La Liga match 1-0 on Tuesday night. This is the first time since March 2016 that Barcelona has won against Bilbao.

Barcelona has returned to the top with 21 wins in 31 matches and 6 points in 5 draws. Real Madrid will return to the top after winning against Mallorca on Wednesday. The team has 85 points in 30 matches. Bilbao, who have lost twice to Barcelona this season, also get their first chance. In the third minute, Unai Lopez's low cross was deflected by Mark-Andre Ter Stegen.

 In the next minute, the opportunity came in front of Barcelona. Luis Suarez could not take a proper shot from a dangerous place. On the return, Sergio Busquets' shot was blocked in the D-box.

The hosts were in control of the ball. However, Bilbao was ahead in creating opportunities. The protection of the visitors was great. Lionel Messi-Antoine Griezmann could not break the solid defense despite great efforts.

Barcelona was trying to play that famous football in the second half as well. Attempt to attack by keeping the ball in possession. Most of the time the ball was on the Bilbao boundary, But there was no speed in the game.

Meanwhile, in the 54th minute, a great opportunity came in front of Barcelona. Messi finds Griezmann in a dangerous place. The visiting goalkeeper came forward and blocked the shot of the French forward.

 

Barcelona could not attack with two wings. Repeatedly attacking along the middle was going to destroy the opponent's freezing. Arturo Vidal got a chance to Messi's free kick in the 62nd minute. But he could not touch his feet properly.

Shortly afterward, the Chilean midfielder missed another chance at Messi's cross. Bilbao could not clear the ball. After receiving the ball from Messi, Rakitic found the net with a bullet speed shot. The Croatian midfielder was caught in the net after more than a year. Barcelona scored a goal against Bilbao in the 71st minute. The Spanish champions found the net against the team after 348 minutes.

The home streak against Bilbao has continued since April 1985.

Messi did not see the net for a while in the 80th minute. His shot wasn't on target for a bit. In the 69th minute, another shot hit one of Bilbao's legs and went off the bar. In added time, the goalkeeper blocked Vidal's shot at Jordi Alba's cross. Ansu Fatir's shot hit the postback.

Messi's birthday came before the end of the match. Rakitic gave the captain a great advance gift.