Thanks to Ivan Rakitic’s goal, Barcelona maintained its ideal start to the season with a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
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“We have started this season the way we finished the last – the players look engaged and want to set the sort of pace to make us the leaders”.
Since his appointment in May 2014, Luis Enrique has claimed a century of wins from just 126 Barcelona matches, and the latest victory came after a hard-fought battle in rainy conditions at San Mames.
Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (R) is congratulated by teammates defender Jordi Alba (L) and Argentinian forward Lionel Messi after scoring during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs FC Barcelona at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on August 28, 2016.
“It’s here, at San Mames, that every game is very hard and intense”, the midfielder said after the game.
“In terms of tempo it was a frenetic game, not usually the kind you get at this stage of the season”, said Barca boss Luis Enrique. “We were facing a great rival and we could have put the result beyond doubt early on”.
The return of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal in place of the departed Claudio Bravo was Barca coach Luis Enrique’s only change from the opening day 6-2 thrashing of Real Betis.
Turkey worldwide Turan spurned a chance to double the lead before the break, miskicking at the near post, the first of a series of opportunities that went begging for the champions.
Messi and Suarez both fired inches wide when presented with the type of chances they normally convert early in the second period.
Athletic introduced midfielder Raul Garcia and he had an immediate impact, firing a shot just wide before setting up Williams for an attempt that Ter Stegen saved well.
Suarez skewed another huge chance wide on the break and Barca were almost made to pay for their rare profligacy when Benat’s fine free-kick curled inches wide into the side-netting five minutes from time.
Nabil El Zhar scored twice as Las Palmas made it back-to-back victories with a 5-1 thrashing of Granada.
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In Sunday’s other game, Alaves drew 0-0 at home to Sporting Gijon.
