*** Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 21st minute after heading in Luis Suarez's perfect cross
*** Suarez then missed a host of chances to double the lead for the Catalans but was wayward in his finishing
*** Athletic midfielder Benat was inches away from equalising after his whipped free kick hit the side netting
*** The home side appealed for a penalty in the final moments but the claims were waved away by the referee
Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao in the rain at San Mames with a first-half goal from Ivan Rakitic the difference between the two sides.
It was Lionel Messi’s 350th league game for the club but the captain had a quiet night by his standards as Barcelona were made to work hard for their second win of the season.
Barca could have been ahead on five minutes when Luis Suarez had the ball in the net but the flag was up for offside. Athletic were pressing high and upsetting Barcelona’s attempts to play out from the back. Inaki Williams was lively down the Bilbao right and Samuel Umtiti was booked for handball as he cut out one through ball.
Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal of the game at San Mames Stadium after he headed in Luis Suarez's inch-perfect cross
****MATCH FACTS AND LA LIGA TABLE
ATHLETIC (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz; De Marcos, Boveda, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe (Vesga 62mins), Benat; Inaki Williams, Eraso (Garcia 62), Susaeta (Muniain 76); Aduriz
Subs not used: Lekue, Etxeita, Sabin, Kepa
Booked: Balenziaga, Susaeta, Benat, Iturraspe, Eraso
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Denis Suarez; Messi, Suarez, Turan
Subs not used: Munir, Digne, Vidal, Masip
Booked: Umtiti, Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Suarez
Goal: Rakitic 21
Referee: Antonio Mateu
Attendance: 46,635
Marc Andre ter Stegen was then played into an awkward position by Umitti and played the ball straight out to Benat who should have done better than blast his shot straight back at the goalkeeper.
In driving rain Athletic could be more than satisfied with their first 20 minute’s work but on 21 minutes they were behind.
Suarez swivelled away from Eneko Boveda and laid the ball off to Arda Turan. He crossed from the left and Rakitic, who had timed his run perfectly, headed past Gorka Iraizoz for 1-0.
The goal calmed Barcelona down although both Sergio Busquets and Suarez were booked for protesting when referee Mateu Lahoz appeared to give a free-kick for a non-existent foul when he had his back to play. Judging from the way Busquets continued his protests at half time with the linesman it seemed that it had been the referee’s assistant who had made the decision.
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