MADRID (Spain): Barcelona struggled to a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday in La Liga.
The victory sends them back to the table top, for 24 hours at least, three points ahead of Real Madrid.
Goal from substitute Ivan Rakitic in the 71st minute prevented Barca from another stalemate after a draw at Sevilla on Friday had allowed Real to go top on head-to-head.
Madrid will return to the summit if they beat struggling Real Mallorca on Wednesday but Barcelona’s victory at least puts the pressure back on Zinedine Zidane’s side, whose upward momentum is yet to be reflected by the table.
This Barca performance though was hardly a statement of intent, devoid of chances, lacking zip and tinged with frustration rather than the free-flowing football Quique Setien was appointed to bring in.
Lionel Messi looked particularly wearied by his team’s display. The Argentinian was creator-in-chief again but the dependence on him was high and he remains one away from the 700th goal of his career.
Athletic had beaten Barça in the league and cup already this season, and made a brave start in their bid to register their first league victory at Camp Nou since 2001. Barça had most of the ball and Messi was in inspired form on the eve of his 33rd birthday but the Basques did an effective job of making sure not too much came of it.
