Lionel Messi and Paulinho hit the target as Barcelona crept past Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to maintain their four-point lead in LaLiga.
Messi started and finished a move in the 36th minute to score his 12th league goal of the season, but Barca were flattered by Paulinho’s injury-time tap-in after a hard-fought evening at San Mames.
Both sides struck the woodwork, Messi and Paulinho for Barca and Raul Garcia for the hosts, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a couple of vital saves to preserve the points.
? Final whistle in San Mamés!
Athletic v FC Barcelona
?? Messi and Paulinho#AthleticBarça pic.twitter.com/iHtjJchdHB— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2017
Tweet of the match
17 – Barcelona haven´t lost in their last 17 La Liga games (W16 D1), their longest unbeaten run since March 2017. Hammer. pic.twitter.com/BQWzl4f3MS
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 28, 2017
@OptaJose underlines the victor’s powerful form.
Star man
???????? Leo #Messi ????????#AthleticBarça pic.twitter.com/jaZ41ylEJM
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2017
Stat of the day
Post from #Messi and the bar from @paulinhop8 in San Mamés, 13 in 16 games ???? ???? Unlucky! ???? https://t.co/9wWVHlcWfA
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2017
The importance of being Ernesto
? A first success for Valverde as visiting coach at San Mamés ???? https://t.co/bm3WW4p6gF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2017
Player ratings
???? When you return home with the job done! pic.twitter.com/XvewnfrZug
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2017
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 8, Roberto 7, Pique 7, Umtiti 8, Alba 7, Busquets 7, Rakitic 7, Paulinho 8, Gomes 7, Suarez 7, Messi 8. Subs: Semedo (for Gomes) 6.
Who’s up next?
Olympiacos v Barcelona (Champions League, October 31).
Athletic Bilbao v Ostersunds (Europa League, Nov 2).
Source: By PA Sport Staff