Lionel Messi's 12th goal of the season in La Liga and Paulinho's later strike secured maximum points for Barcelona who edged Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Ernesto Valverde’s return to San Mames on Saturday in a La Liga week 10 fixture.
Barcelona led at half-time thanks to Lionel Messi's 12th League goal of the season. Barcelona led at half-time thanks to Lionel Messi's 12th League goal of the season. Messi might have scored 11 goals in his last 13 Liga games against Athletic, but in his last three visits to the new San Mamés, he had only netted once.
The Catalans' summer arrival from China Paulinho added Barcelona's second in added time right footed Suarez's deflected from close range to hand the visitors a well-deserved win.
Andre Gomes started for Barcelona on Ernesto Valverde’s return to San Mames. Jordi Alba recovered from a thigh injury to displace Lucas Digne at left-back.
Valverde coached Athletic over two spells, guiding them to the Supercopa in 2015 – their first piece of silverware in 31 years – and becoming the Leones Coach with the most appearances under his belt (306).
A sudden fever prevented Javier Mascherano from traveling to Athletic, the Argentine joining Thomas Vermaelen, Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal, Rafinha, Ousmane Dembele and Andres Iniesta on the treatment table.
Athletic, on the other hand, could not call on key trio Mikel Balenziaga, Oscar De
Marcos
and Iker Muniain – all of whom are suffering setbacks – while Yeray Alvarez was still on the mend from his cancer treatment.
Jose Angel Ziganda, Valverde’s successor, was feeling the heat after just five wins in his first 15 games at the helm. Worse yet, the Basques have beaten Barca only twice in La Liga since 2003, although both of those victories came at home.
Source: fcnaija.com
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