Griezmann unable to steer Barca to victory in season opener

Aritz Aduriz got here off the bench to attain a shocking scissor kick as Barcelona’s defence of La Liga started with a shock 1-Zero loss towards Athletic Bilbao on Friday.

Aduriz, who will flip 39 earlier than the tip of the season, was introduced on within the 88th minute and scored within the 89th to earn the house aspect a deserved three factors at San Mames. Barca, who had been with out the injured Lionel Messi and misplaced Luis Suarez to a calf drawback within the first half, twice hit the woodwork, by means of Suarez and Rafinha, however could have few complaints concerning the defeat.

Positives

It was a tricky begin to the marketing campaign for Barca and there have been few actual positives to be gleaned from the outcome. Rafinha carried out properly off the bench, whereas there have been full debuts for Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann, however this was not an evening that may dwell lengthy within the reminiscence for Ernesto Valverde and his gamers.

Negatives

Messi’s already injured and now Suarez is, too. The Uruguayan was pressured off with a calf drawback. Carles Alena and Sergi Roberto didn’t impress in midfield, whereas Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele disenchanted in assault. Except for naming particular person gamers, although, the efficiency typically, maybe influenced by a globe-trotting preseason, was nowhere close to ok. San Mames is at all times a tricky place to go however this outcome will heap early strain on Valverde, who many needed to be sacked on the finish of final season.

Antoine Griezmann could not encourage Barcelona to victory at Athletic Bilbao in his La Liga debut for the Blaugrana. Getty

Supervisor ranking out of 10

6 — Valverde deserves credit score for attempting one thing completely different — he utterly modified final season’s midfield, with De Jong, Roberto and Alena all beginning — however the ways had been eerily acquainted. One of many complaints from final season was that this aspect, even after they’re profitable, does not excite and that was the case once more right here, albeit towards a very good opponent. That buck stops with the coach.

Participant scores (1-10; 10=finest. Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no ranking)

GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 — Made two sensible saves from Inaki Williams within the first half to maintain a vigorous Athletic aspect at bay. Had much less to do in a extra managed second interval from Barca earlier than being overwhelmed by Aduriz’s good objective.

DF Nelson Semedo, 6 — An indiscrete efficiency at right-back to start out a season that’s imagined to see him make the place his personal. Wasn’t aided by the crew’s show.

DF Gerard Pique, 6 — Had a tricky check within the first half towards the velocity of Williams however improved within the second half. Can have been disenchanted that he and his teammates allowed Aduriz a lot house.

DF Clement Lenglet, 6 — Like his teammates, unaware of Aduriz’s place for the one objective and struggled with Williams’ tempo, however did come near scoring an unlikely equaliser late on. His header was saved by Unai Simon.

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DF Jordi Alba, 5 — Was one of many poster boys for the Liverpool defeat that marked final season and began the brand new time period with one other disappointing efficiency. Might want to up his recreation following the arrival of Junior Firpo, who’s been signed to supply competitors for the left-back.

MF Frenkie de Jong, 6 — The perfect of Barca’s three beginning midfielders on his aggressive debut for the membership. Nevertheless, he didn’t have issues as straightforward as in preseason, with Athletic urgent him on the ball to cease him ever actually getting began. Raul Garcia welcomed him to Spain with a late problem early on.

MF Sergi Roberto, 5 — Given a begin in his favoured midfield place having spent the previous few seasons taking part in predominantly as a right-back. Failed to essentially ship, although, and was hooked with 15 minutes to play.

MF Carles Alena, four — One of many shock inclusions in Valverde’s midfield. Struggled for the primary 30 minutes however did play some good passes towards the tip of the primary half for Alba. Eliminated on the break for Ivan Rakitic.

FW Ousmane Dembele, 5 — Barca followers are ready for him to blow up. There have been glimpses, however he was on the fringes of the sport in Bilbao.

FW Luis Suarez, 6 — Hit the publish following an Athletic error earlier than being taken off with a calf harm within the 36th minute. Will endure additional assessments in Barcelona on Saturday to find out the extent of the issue.

FW Antoine Griezmann, 6 — Began on the left earlier than transferring centrally when Suarez departed injured. Unable to make his mark on the match on his full debut for the membership, although. Barely touched the ball within the second half however did see a late effort deflected huge and header loop simply over.

Substitutes

FW Rafinha, 7 — Was Barca’s most inventive participant after changing Suarez. An excellent effort from lengthy vary was tipped on to the bar by Simon. Two efforts had been deflected huge after the break, too, the second after a marvellous piece of talent.

MF Ivan Rakitic, 5 — Got here on at half-time however could not drive Barca on to a few factors. Blazed one good probability which got here his method over the bar.

FW Carles Perez, N/R — The younger ahead was introduced on for Sergi Roberto late on as Valverde went on the assault.