Striker Paco Alcacer was chosen by coach Ernesto Valverde to start Luis Suarez in this match due to the Uruguayan striker's suspension. Along with that, Ousmane Dembele continues to play from the start after recent good performances.
In just 8 minutes, Barcelona shook the opponent's net. Jordi Alba crossed inside for Alcacer to cushion the ball accurately. In this situation, Alba fell into an offside position but was not awarded a penalty.
Bilbao held a pressing match right from the midfield area. However, Barcelona players continuously made pressing escapes to open up the blocking moves to the opponent's goal.
Goalkeeper Kepa has had to show his save skills to Bilbao many times. Along with that, luck was on their side in the 14th minute when the ball found the crossbar after Coutinho's volley.
However, the gap was still doubled in the 30th minute. Dembele passed the ball from the right wing for Messi to fire a powerful shot into the corner near the goal. Not to mention direct free kicks, this was Messi's first goal in LaLiga this season from outside the box.
If they had taken advantage of the opportunity better, Barcelona should have scored 2 more goals in the remaining part of the first half. Coutinho once again hit the crossbar while the post was the destination after another shot from Dembele.
The advantage in the first 45 minutes helped Barcelona play practically in the second half. They no longer play fast, organizing attacks in a row.
Thanks to that, Bilbao had the first shot in the match. However, Sabin Merino's shot did not pose any danger to Ter Stegen's goal.
Although the visitors had more time to hold the ball, their attacks generally lacked the necessity to penetrate Barcelona's defense, even with personnel changes.
Barcelona's most dangerous chance in the second half belonged to Messi. The Argentine superstar dribbled the ball skillfully from the midfield, shooting the ball towards the far corner but the ball went wide of the post.
The 2-0 ratio was maintained until the end of the match and it helped Barcelona get 75 points after 29 rounds, firmly at the top of LaLiga. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao dropped to 13th place with 35 points.
