Barcelona 1 Athletic Bilbao 1: Lionel Messi helps rescue point as champions are held at home again

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Tony Mogan29 September 2018

Barcelona’s winless run has continued after being held to a home draw against Athletic Bilbao.

The La Liga champions have now dropped seven points in their last three league games, with Lionel Messi called from the substitutes bench to tee up his side’s decisive equaliser.

Oscar de Marcos headed the visitors into the lead after 41 minutes with Munir El Haddadi tapping home an equaliser six minutes from time.

After a draw at home to Girona last Saturday and a midweek defeat to Leganes, the pressure was on Ernesto Valverde’s side to address an early season slump.

The Barcelona boss opted to leave Messi on the bench however ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Tottenham, with Sergio Busquets also rested.

His side showed no signs of struggle without him in the opening stages while Philippe Coutinho toying with Atheltic early on.

The Barcelona defence were caught sleeping five minutes from half-time with Markel Susaeta’s cross from the left picking out de Marcos to open the scoring.

Facing the possibility of two defeats on the bounce, Messi was called upon, replacing the impressive Arturo Vidal early in the second-half.

After seeing his free kick headed off the line and an effort strike the post, the skipper’s influence paid off after 84 minutes, causing panic in the Athletic box before finding Munir to score.

Luis Suarez saw a late goal correctly ruled out for offside.

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