Barca slump to home defeat against Bilbao
Barcelona slumped to a 2-1 Spanish league defeat on Saturday against an inspired Athletic Bilbao side, who pulled off a deserved win despite playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men.
Barcelona slumped to a 2-1 Spanish league defeat on Saturday against an inspired Athletic Bilbao side, who pulled off a deserved win despite playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men.
Bilbao, beaten 7-0 in this fixture last season, appeared determined to make up for that painful defeat from the start as they snuffed out Barca's early attacks and took the lead on 10 minutes, Ismael Urzaiz nodding in from a free kick.
Barca substitute Rivaldo grabbed an equaliser on the hour and the home side looked set to complete the win they needed to go top of the table after Jesus Maria Lacruz was sent off for a second yellow card on 76 minutes.
The Catalans piled forward but Santi Ezquerro struck the winner nine minutes from time on a rare Bilbao counter-attack.
The result left Barca in third place, three points behind leaders Deportivo Coruna, who take on Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Bilbao moved up to fifth, behind Barcelona on goal difference.
Barcelona could not find the sort of slick passing game that earned them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions league in midweek, with Bilbao never allowing them time on the ball.
After a scrappy opening spell, the visitors took the lead after some bustling forward play from Tiko won a free kick on the right touchline.
Francisco Yeste chipped the ball into the penalty area and Urzaiz flicked a header in off the far post for his sixth goal of the season.
Javier Saviola and Gabri wasted good chances in the last seven minutes of the first half after being set clear on goal by Patrick Kluivert, and Bilbao managed to hang on until the break.
Urzaiz struck the bar at the start of the second half and Joseba Etxeberria also came close to adding a second as Bilbao pushed forward with more purpose.
The appearance of Rivaldo as a substitute got Barca back in the game, the Brazilian getting the equaliser within two minutes of coming on.
Frank de Boer chipped the ball forward, Kluivert headed on over the defence and Rivaldo hooked the ball in to level the scores.
Lacruz's sending-off made matters worse for Bilbao but they showed great character to take the lead again through Ezquerro and hold on as Barca pressed forward until the final whistle.