Barca Reclaim Top Spot From Real With Back-…

Photo by David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images

Champions FC Barcelona maintained their winning start to the LALIGA season with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.

LALIGA
Teams: FC Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao
Result: 2-0
Scorers: Raphinha (37′), Fermin (82′)

After a five-goal blitz over Elche CF in their season-opener on Sunday, the defending champions were in buoyant mood against an Athletic coming off a losing start against Sevilla.

Barcelona made a strong opening and were inches away from taking the lead as a point-blank header in the box by Raphinha struck the frame of the upright after some good work by Xavi Espart.

The defending champions continued to probe and were rewarded past the half-hour mark when Raphinha beat the offside trap to get onto a through pass from Pedri and rounded goalkeeper Unai Simon to finish from a tight angle.

Simon redeemed himself five minutes before halftime after he charged on the surging Lamine Yamal and palmed the attacker’s curling shot from the left of the box away for a corner-kick.

Los Leones went searching for a way back as the minutes to the end of the first half ticked and had Nicholas Williams pick up a delivery from a corner by Peio Canales to lash in from outside the area, but he snapped his lines.

Barcelona still showed a relentless approach five minutes after the break and were very close to extending their lead with a curling shot in the box by Yamal, but the top of the crossbar denied him.

High-profile signing Rodri came on to make his debut for the Catalan giants midway in the second half and was greeted by a lovely reception at the Camp Nou, before Dani Olmo also entered in place Marc Bernal in a double substitution.

Athletic gave the champions a big scare in the final minutes and were close to levelling matters when a low first-time shot on the edge of the area by Oihan Sancet struck the foot of the post, leaving goalkeeper Joan Garcia with no chance.

However, the Blaugrana overcome the scare and made sure of the points eight minutes from time when Fermin Lopez capitalised on a poor goal-line clearance and tucked into an empty net, as Hansi Flick’s charges moved about Real on goal difference.

Next Three League Fixtures:

Barcelona: Rayo Vallecano (H), Valencia (A), Levante (H)

Athletic Bilbao: Celta Vigo (A), Atletico Madrid (H), Elche (H)

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