Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Barcelona: Player ratings as Antoine Griezmann gets a 5 on quiet debut

Andy West 01:49 17/08/2019
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  • Aritz Aduriz was the hero for Athletic Bilbao, netting an 88th minute winner to down reigning champions Barcelona on Friday night.

    It was just about a merited victory for the home team, who dominated the first half and defended well in the second, with Barca creating very few clear chances.

    Here is how all the players rated.

    ATHLETIC BILBAO 

    Starting XI

    Simon 8. Produced a sensational stop to tip Rafinha’s shot onto the bar and was solid whenever called upon.

    Capa 8. Made some storming runs down the right, and kept going to the end to deliver the cross for the winner.

    Yeray 8. Read the game perfectly to break up several attacks, marshalling the home defence with quiet and calm authority.

    Nunez 7. Deputy centre back did a great job, defending with determination and concentration to keep Barça at bay.

    Yuri 8. Worked hard defensively and showed plenty of attacking intent, including a great through ball for Williams.

    D Garcia 7. Kept it simple and effective in front of the back four, showing no attacking ambition but supporting his defence.

    Lopez 7. Showed poise in the centre of the pitch, catching the eye barring a terrible back pass. Tired after the break.

    De Marcos 6. Worked hard down the right flank but made little impression and was replaced midway through the second half.

    R Garcia 6. Typically combative, to put it politely, using his guile and experience to make life difficult for the visitors.

    Muniain 6. Athletic’s captain couldn’t impose himself on the ball but worked tirelessly in his defensive duties.

    Williams 7. A major threat in the first half, twice coming close in the first 15 minutes, but less effective in the second half.

    Subs

    Sancet 5. Highly rated teen came on to boost the attack but wasn‘t able to get going, looking nervous and daunted.

    Benat 6. Veteran midfielder introduced for the final ten minutes and helped his team contain Barça in the latter stages.

    Aduriz 9. The old man of La Liga came on in the latter stages and scored a sensational overhead volleyed winner within seconds.

    BARCELONA

    Starting XI

    Ter Stegen 7. Made a great flying stop to deny Williams and was sure in his handling, but had no chance for the goal.

    Semedo 5. Looked vulnerable defensively and although he kept plugging away going forward, he posed little threat.

    Pique 5. Struggled to contain the pace and movement of Williams, often dropping deep and leaving space to be attacked.

    Lenglet 6. Nearly grabbed a leveller with an injury time header and defended with efficiency despite struggling for pace against Williams.

    Alba 5. Sloppy in the opening stages and although he improved in the second half he was lacking precision throughout.

    Roberto 6. Selected in midfield but the game largely passed him by, and he was taken off with 15 minutes left.

    De Jong 6. Played in the pivot role in deep midfield and was kept quiet in the first half, but much better after the break.

    Alena 5. A surprise starter but he didn’t get into the rhythm of the game and was replaced at half-time.

    Dembele 6. Floated in and out of the action, swapping flanks after Suarez’s injury. Much more dangerous after the break.

    Suarez 6. Little involvement until he seized on a poor backpass to hit the post but was then forced off injured.

    Griezmann 5. Started on the left before moving centrally after Suarez’s injury, and was starved of service in a quiet debut.

    Subs

    Rafinha 8. Replace Suarez and nearly netted with a brilliant strike against the bar, also twice coming close in the second half.

    Rakitic 7. Came on at half-time and immediately helped his team restore order in midfield. Fired a good chance too high.

    Perez 6. Rewarded for a bright preseason with a brief run-out, but he couldn’t make headway down the right.

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