Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho shine but Ivan Rakitic subdued in Barcelona's win over Bilbao

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  • Barcelona moved 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid in La Liga with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

    With Luis Suarez suspended, Paco Alcacer started with Lionel Messi up front and scored the opener in the eighth minute.

    The Argentine then added a second from just outside the box to seal the win.

    Here’s our two good and two bad performances from the encounter.

    TWO GOOD

    LIONEL MESSI

    He just gets better and better. Messi never looked like switched into top gear throughout the 90 minutes but was still the main man by a mile.

    Bilbao simply couldn’t live with him and his goal was a perfect representation of that fact as he drilled a low effort past Kepa, finding the corner from the edge of the box, all while being closed down by four defenders. Unstoppable.

    He peppered the goal with shots, registering seven of which four were on target. He had a hand in the opener as well, playing in Jordi Alba whose cross found Alcacer.

    Lionel Messi

    Lionel Messi

    PHILIPPE COUTINHO

    The Brazilian didn’t score or provide an assist on the day but has a right to feel aggrieved as his efforts certainly warranted a reward.

    He was arguably the most creative player on show, making three key passes against the Basque outfit. He deserved a goal as well. He struck the woodwork twice in the first half. He managed to hit Alba’s cut-back with a left-footed attempt on the half-volley that crashed off the crossbar.

    Then, he made an excellent run in behind the defence and was found by Paulinho’s sublime first-time ball over the top but – on the stretch – he stabbed it over the keeper only to see it bounce off of the bar again.

    Philippe Coutinho (l)

    Philippe Coutinho (l)

    TWO BAD

    IVAN RAKITIC

    With Sergio Busquets facing a spell on the sidelines, many expected Ernesto Valverde to turn to Andre Gomes in midfield but he opted for Ivan Rakitic and Paulinho as the duo on this occasion.

    While Paulinho was the more advanced of the two, Rakitic was seemingly meant to fill in for Busquets but fell well short of the mark. His passing was safe and predictable, offering little in the build-up play.

    He was really found out in the second half though when Bilbao were much better. Busquets’ reading of the game and positioning so often comes to the fore without possession but Rakitic wasn’t able to replicate the Spaniard’s shielding of the defence which came under pressure on a few occasions.

    Ivan Rakitic (2nd R) was a spectator

    Ivan Rakitic (2nd R) was a spectator

    OSCAR DE MARCOS

    Usually enjoys marauding down the right flank but his attacking play on this occasion was non-existent.

    Instead, he found himself pinned back, attempting to keep up with mischief makers Alba and Coutinho down his side and largely failing to do so.

    For the first goal, he was left on the deck by a slight shimmy from Messi who played it to Alba. The left-back then had all the time and space in the world to pick out his man for the finish.

    Oscar De Marcos

    Oscar De Marcos

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