ATHLETIC BILBAO 1-0 BARCELONA:
FC Barcelona began her Spanish Primera title defence on a disappointing note, after going down 0-1 to Athletic Bilbao in the 1st match of the Spanish La Liga, a spectacular Aritz Aduriz's scissors' kick late in the game condemned the Blaugrana to their 1st opening-fixture defeat since the 2008 0-1 loss to Numancia, bringing a 10-straight opening fixture to win to an end.
Dejected Barca team, source
Barcelona is still locked in the summer transfer window tug-of-war with PSG over the signing of their ex-forward Neymar Jnr and with rumours of a compromise between the 2 clubs still proving difficult to reach, the saga/drama is set to go to the wire as the European transfer window edges closer to it's the final day. With so much attention on the transfer window, some quarters believe it's a distraction to the team going into the Bilbao opener, and so it proved to be.
Aduriz leading Bilbao celebration, source
Barcelona went into the match without their mercurial talisman Leo Messi due to a reported injury, and so, the onus falls on new signings like Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie De Jong to show their qualities, however, it wasn't a debut both players would have hoped for. The Blaugrana as expected enjoyed plenty of the ball possession but were worryingly reduced to a single shot on target in the 1st half(2 in the entire regulation time) when substitute and Barca's only lively player on the night Rafinha drew a finger-tip save from Bilbao's goalkeeper Unai Simon in the 44th minute. Bilbao on the other hand, kept Ter Stegen in Barca's goal busy in the half, calling the shot-stopper to some fine saves[Inaki Williams (7'), (15'), Unai Lopez(31') & Raul Garcia(36')] to keep the scoreline at goalless before the break.
The 2nd half was same old Barcelona moving the ball around with no real threat to Bilbao and just when it seemed like the match was going to end in a goalless statement, then came a moment of sheer brilliance from substitute and Bilbao's old warhorse Aritz Aduriz, the 38-year-old Spaniard was barely on the pitch when he met teammate Ander Capa's ambitious cross into the box with a delightful overhead kick(such that Messi & Ronaldo would be proud of) beyond a helpless Ter Stegen in the 89th minute.
Athletic Bilbao is now undefeated to Barca in 3 league games(W, D, D). Barcelona, on the other hand, once again proved that they are incomplete without a certain Argentine Leo Messi. They might feel hard done by with the early injury to Luiz Suarez(37'), however, Suarez replacement did remarkably well, arguably was Barcelona's best player on the night.
BAYERN MUNICH 2-2 HERTHA BERLIN:
Also on Friday night, across Europe was the commencement of the German Bundesliga and it was kicked started by the reigning champion Bayern Munich versus Hertha Berlin at the historical Allianz Arena Stadium. Bayern needed a 2nd-half spot-kick to rescue a point at home in their league opener.
Hertha Berlin, source
Bayern spent much of the summer transfer window chasing Manchester City Leroy Sane but they were consistently rebuffed by the Citizens. Bayern then shifted their attention to an unsettled Brazilian, Barcelona's Phillipe Coutinho which despite the green light, might turn out to be a long shot too as it's reported that Barcelona is including the Brazilian in a potential deal that would see 2 Brazilians switch clubs(Neymar the other).
Lewandowski, source
Bayern was favoured to come out of this clash with Hertha Berlin victorious, an opponent they defeated in both home and away league fixture last season. They got a deserved lead through the usual suspect, Robert Lewandowski in the 24th minute and it seemed like the flood gate would open afterwards with Bayern dictating the proceedings, however, Hertha Berlin got other ideals, they struck in 2-quick minutes, Dodi Lukebakio's deflected shot in the 36th minute and Marko Grujic's stunner in the 38th minute.
The Bavarian, however, were relentless with their attack and got a chance to draw level when that man again, Lewandowski drew a foul from Marco Grujic in the area and was confirmed by VAR, Lewandowski dusted himself up to convert from 12 yards, to save the champion's blushes( his double for the night).
With loanee James Rodriguez returned to his parent club Real Madrid, the Bavarian is lurking the transfer window for a playmaker, and it is uncertain if they can truly pull off a Phillipe Coutinho loan deal.
The good thing about not getting an opening day result is that it will give the club concerned an opportunity to perform a 'forensic' check on their team and make the necessary transfer business before the window closes, Barcelona and Bayern still have the chance to do so.
Blog cross-posted SPORT DAPP @SCORUM
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