BARCELONA, Aug 22: Memphis Depay showed just why coach Ronald Koeman urged Barcelona for months to sign the Netherlands striker after scoring with a blistering strike Saturday to help his team avoid its first defeat of the post-Messi era with a 1-1 draw.
Depay’s goal from a tight angle came with Barcelona playing poorly against an Athletic Bilbao team inspired by having some fans in the stands of San Mamés for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The draw at Bilbao came after Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 4-2 last weekend in its first match.
Depay, who arrived as a free agent this summer, gained possession on a rare counterattack from Barcelona after Sergio Busquets recovered the ball. Taking a pass from Sergi Roberto in his stride, Depay drove a left-footed shot over goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and into the top of the net in the 75th minute.
Bilbao had gone ahead in the 50th when defender Iñigo Martínez headed home one of a slew of corner kicks the hosts generated with their high-paced attack.
Other than the fine goal by Depay, the trip to Bilbao showed how costly letting Messi go could be in terms of results, even if it does help the club that is $1.6 billion in debt.
Bilbao, which only has players from the northern Basque Country region and neighboring provinces, dominated long stretches of the match.
Other than a poor miss by Martin Braithwaite, after he was set up by Depay following his dribble past two defenders, the first hour was all about Bilbao’s pressure that disrupted the visitors’ attack. For Koeman, Messi sure would have helped.
Bilbao’s Oihan Sancet hit the crossbar in the 11th. Moments later Frenkie de Jong’s timely slide blocked a point-blank chance by Iñaki Williams after goalkeeper Neto had lost possession inside his own box.
Barcelona lost Gerard Pique to a left-leg injury after half an hour. He was replaced by Ronald Araújo, who blocked a strike early in the second half by Álex Berenguer after Williams drew Neto off his line.
Barcelona lost defender Eric García in the final seconds of the match after he was shown a direct red card for fouling substitute Nico Williams with only goalkeeper Neto to beat.
Carlos Soler earned another point for Valencia after converting an 88th-minute penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw at Granada. Soler had also converted a penalty in Valencia’s 1-0 victory over Getafe to start the season.
A goal by Mallorca forward Fer Niño with 10 minutes to play gave the Balearic Islands club a 1-0 victory at Alavés, its first win since its return to the first division.
Alavés lost defender Rubén Duarte to a second booking in the 66th.
Villarreal and Espanyol continued to struggle in attack after a 0-0 draw, a second scoreless stalemate for both sides. (AP)
