Teenager Marc Guiu made a dream debut off the bench to attain a late winner as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 to maneuver as much as third within the LaLiga desk.
After Joao Felix had hit the crossbar early on, Barca – nonetheless with out the injured Robert Lewandowski – appeared to have been left annoyed by a string of positive saves by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon.
However moments after being despatched on by Xavi for his first senior look, the 17-year-old Guiu raced down the left channel to dispatch a composed end and shut Barca to inside a degree of leaders Actual Madrid forward of El Clasico subsequent weekend.
FT: #BarçaAthletic 1-0
Marc Guiu wins it for @FCBarcelona #LALIGAEASPORTS | #ResultsByVisitSaudi pic.twitter.com/RAfRP0K05v
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 22, 2023
Forward of kick-off in Montjuic, each golf equipment paid tribute to former England and Manchester United midfielder Sir Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday aged 86.
Athletic made a vibrant begin, as Inaki Williams examined Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from the sting of the field.
Barca nearly took an early lead within the tenth minute when Ferran Torres reduce into the penalty space and picked out Joao Felix, who swept his shot onto the highest of the crossbar.
Athletic keeper Simon saved from Fermin Lopez after a surging run from left-back Alexandro Balde earlier than – on the different finish – Germany stopper Ter Stegen tipped a rising shot from Inaki Williams over the crossbar.
The guests had been pressured right into a change within the twenty sixth minute when left-back Yuri Berchiche went off injured and was changed by Inigo Lekue.
Joao Felix then noticed his claims for a penalty waved away earlier than Barca once more had Ter Stegen to thank for holding the scores degree.
Athletic, managed by former Barca boss Ernesto Valverde, broke down the left by some fast passing from the Williams brothers.
Inaki Williams then fired in a low, angled drive which was pushed away by Ter Stegen earlier than Inigo Martinez, going through his former membership after becoming a member of Barca in the summertime, then made a saving block from the follow-up shot by Nico Williams.
Nico!
Ter Stegen nearly will get a toe to the winger’s shot.
46′
0-0 I #BarçaAthletic #AthleticClub pic.twitter.com/9w5iOlXrUo
— Athletic Membership (@Athletic_en) October 22, 2023
Ter Stegen was pressured into motion once more in first-half stoppage-time when he made good save together with his toes to disclaim Nico Williams, who had once more reduce in on the angle from the left.
Athletic threatened once more early within the second half, and once more it was the Williams brothers who linked up earlier than Inaki Williams fired the ball into the facet netting.
Because the hour mark approached, Simon made a positive double save to first deny Joao Felix after which Lopez from the follow-up after good work from former Manchester Metropolis midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Barca continued to press, however had been once more annoyed by one other nice cease by Simon, this time getting all the way down to push behind a shot from Joao Cancelo, who had reduce in from the best.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW! pic.twitter.com/lXiCYchlWj
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2023
The breakthrough lastly got here with 10 minutes to go when substitute Guiu, who had solely simply been despatched on for a LaLiga debut, raced onto a cross from Joao Felix down the left channel.
The 17-year-old took a contact within the penalty space earlier than coolly dispatching his effort previous Simon, who received an arm to the ball however couldn’t preserve it out.
Simon tipped a late header from Joao Felix over the crossbar as Barca closed out a hard-earned win.
