Ivan Rakitic strikes as Barcelona snatch win at Athletic Bilbao

Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal of a bizarre game to gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames Stadium.

The Croatian midfielder powered home a header from an Arda Turan cross in the first half to give Luis Enrique’s side the lead and ultimately three points in what was a difficult Liga fixture on the road.

Athletic Bilbao had their chances throughout, with Benat and Aritz Aduriz coming closest for the home side. However, Barcelona controlled the majority of the contest, even if their defence looked shaky at times.

The Catalans have now picked up six points from a possible six to start the defence of their Liga title, sitting at the top of the league standings alongside rivals Real Madrid before the international break.

He is finally Barcelona’s undisputed number one following the sale of Claudio Bravo to Manchester City, but Marc Andre Ter Stegen almost played his side into trouble on a number of occasions against Athletic Bilbao. Luis Enrique wants the German to play out from the back, but does he take too many chances and risks?

It takes a lot for an opposition midfielder to shine against Barcelona, but Benat was exceptional. He covered every blade of freshly mown grass on the newly laid San Mames pitch and came close to making the difference more than once, flashing a free-kick inches wide of the target with Ter Stegen beaten. Benat was the driving force behind Athletic’s efforts against the champions.

Athletic Club - Iraizoz 5, De Marcos 5, Boveda 6, Laporte 7, Balenziaga 6, Vesga 5, Iturraspe 6, Benat 8, Inaki 7, Eraso 6, Susaeta 5, Aduriz 6. Subs - Garcia 6, Muniain 5.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Roberto 6, Pique 6, Umtiti 6, Alba 6, Sergio 5, Rakitic 7, Denis 6, Messi 7, Arda 8, Suarez 5. Subs - Rafinha 5, Gomes 6, Mascherano 5.

6’ GOAL CHALKED OFF! Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net as Suarez scores for Arda to finish into the empty net, but the flag is up on the far side. That was the right call.

13’ HUGE TER STEGEN BLUNDER! The German goalkeeper gifts the ball straight to Benat, but from a one-on-one position the Athletic player can only shoot straight at Ter Stegen.

22' GOAL! Athletic Club 0-1 Barcelona: An excellent counter-attack goal by Barcelona! Arda swings a wonderful cross into the opposition penalty area and Rakitic meets it on the run to head home.

36’ STRAIGHT AT THE KEEPER! Messi feeds the pass into Roberto who squares for Denis, but the former Villarreal player doesn't really test Iraizoz and his effort is tame.

41’ ANOTHER TER STEGEN SAVE! Athletic Bilbao have come into this game in the last few minutes, with Benat striking from distance. But the Barca keeper gets down well to make the stop.

44’ INTO THE SIDE NETTING! Barcelona catch Athletic Bilbao on the counter attack, with Messi picking out Arda, but the Turkish international can only find the side netting. Poor finish.

58’ SUAREZ ON THE VOLLEY! The Barcelona striker put everything he had behind that! Roberto's cross to the back post found Suarez but his smashed volley flew well wide of the target.

71’ MESSI SLIPS! Barcelona look to have created a great opportunity for themselves just inside the box, but Messi slips just as he takes the shot, firing his effort well over the bar.

81’ HOW DIDN'T SUAREZ SCORE! He beat one, he beat two, he set himself up for the shot from about eight yards out, but he skews his left-footed finish and the chance is gone.

86’ SO CLOSE TO AN EQUALISER! Benat had Ter Stegen beaten with that effort. The Athletic midfielder curled an effort towards goal, but he could only find the side netting. Close.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen completed more passes in a single game than any Liga goalkeeper since the 2005/06 season.

Lionel Messi played his 350th game for Barcelona this evening.

No other Liga player has been involved in more goals than Arda Turan this season (three goals, three assists).