BILBAO, SPAIN – AUGUST 21: Alex Berenguer of Athletic Bilbao is challenged by Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga Santander match between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Barcelona were second-best all match long against Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona dropped their first points of the season against Athletic Bilbao as the Catalans were only able to muster a 1-1 draw.
A poor performance saw Barcelona fortunate to salvage a point as the home side deserved all to come away with the win.
Memphis Depay proved to be the hero for Ronald Koeman’s team as the former Lyon forward smashed in the equalizer in the 75th minute. He had an opportunity for a brace a few minutes later but a loss would have been harsh on Athletic Bilbao.
The Lions were on top of Barcelona from the first whistle as they had two corner kicks in the opening two minutes courtesy of some sloppy play from the Barcelona defense and their goalkeeper Neto. The latter of which presented itself over and over again throughout the game.
Despite the poor performance, it was Barcelona who could have opened the scoring. Memphis took on a number of defenders on the byline and wriggled himself free inside the box. He cut the ball back to an awaiting Martin Braithwaite but the Danish striker made a mess of it and skied the ball well over the Bilbao keeper.
Iñigo Martínez gave his side the lead in the 50th minute courtesy of a header off a corner kick. Eric Garcia was guarding Martinez but the center-back slipped away. As mentioned, Depay would equalize later.
The match had all the markings of a Barcelona under team under Koeman. Athletic Bilbao always plays them tough, especially at home, but they had little to no answers on how to get over their high pressing and there was a clear lack of connection between the midfield and the forwards. The only ones who seemed to have an understanding were Memphis and Frenkie de Jong.
“It was a great game for many things in football,” Koeman said. I think we made things too difficult for ourselves at the start of the game.
“The pressed us a lot and well. We need to know when we can play short, from the keeper as well. We weren’t calm enough in the first 15 minutes.
“I think a draw is a fair result, we had chances to win, Athletic were at a very high level. Playing like that, this is a very tough ground, so I can’t be unhappy with the result.”
Source: Marca
To add injury to insult Gerard Piqué was forced to come off in the first-half after picking up a knee injury. Koeman faces the possiblity of being without his first choice center-backs in their next match against Getafe as Garcia was shown a red in the final minute of stoppage time.
Koeman alluded to it and it is likely a feeling Barcelona supporters had watching the game but it was hard not to think the result could have been different if they had Lionel Messi.
But the fact of the matter is they don’t and they need to find a way to pull out a result without him. That means Antoine Griezmann needs to step up. He was a non-factor and patience is running out. This is supposed to be his team now but he’s already been supplanted by Memphis.
When Barcelona went down a goal, everyone was interested how they would respond without their Argentinian star. They didn’t fail but they didn’t get glowing reviews either.
It looks like Koeman hasn’t learned his lessons from last season. He would do well in learning them as he’s in his final year of his contract and soon may find himself on the outside looking in.
