Barca struggled to secure three points.

In the late match of the second round, Barca could only manage a 1-0 victory away at Bilbao.

Ivan Rakitic (right) scored the only goal for Barca. Photo: Reuters

Goal: Ivan Rakitic 21'

The match against Bilbao could be considered one of Barca's least effective attacking performances. In nearly a dozen scoring opportunities against goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz, the Catalan team only managed to capitalize on one. That goal didn't even come from their usual short passing combinations, but rather from a cross and header between midfield specialists Arda Turan and Ivan Rakitic. For the rest, Luis Suarez and Messi took turns missing chances, much to the surprise of the spectators.

While not impressive in terms of goals scored, the match against Bilbao still yielded the result Barca desired. After the second round, Barca, along with Las Palmas and Real, are all in the group with six points. Las Palmas currently leads thanks to a higher goal difference (+6 compared to +5 and +4).

Compared to their opening match victory against Betis with a 6-2 scoreline, Barca's performance on August 28th seemed to offer the audience a completely different "treat": the art of missing opportunities. From center-back Umtiti and midfielder Denis to the two leading strikers, Luis Suarez and Messi, all had at least one shot off target when unmarked. Barca could have opened the scoring in the fourth minute if Denis's curling shot had been more accurate. In this situation, the new signing from Villarreal sent the ball two meters wide of the goal with a poorly executed shot. After creating the opportunity that Denis missed, Messi assisted Umtiti in the 36th minute and Turan in the 45th minute, but both attempts were unsuccessful. The French center-back volleyed over the bar, while the Turkish star shot wide when facing goalkeeper Iraizoz.

Although he didn't score like in the last two matches, Turan still successfully maintained his decisive role in Barca's attack. In the 21st minute, this makeshift striker delivered a perfect cross for Rakitic to head in the only goal. The cross was so well-placed that it bypassed the entire Bilbao defense, allowing even a relatively short player like Rakitic to easily finish into the corner of the net.

Barca could have won by a larger margin if they hadn't missed so many chances.

Compared to the opening match, the only notable change in the Barca lineup was in goal. Replacing Claudio Bravo, who had just joined Man City, Marc Andre Ter Stegen disappointed many fans. In the 12th minute, he directly passed the ball to an opponent, creating a clear scoring opportunity. Fortunately for Barca, Ter Stegen immediately saved Benat's somewhat hasty shot.

Bilbao also had two more chances but missed both. After coming on as a substitute, Raul Garcia had a powerful shot that went wide of the Barca goal. The midfielder also assisted Williams in a situation where Ter Stegen successfully saved the shot.

After the break, Barca squandered even more opportunities. Messi had two runs into the penalty area, but both shots narrowly missed the target. Similarly, Luis Suarez could have scored a hat-trick if his shots had been more precise. Most fans expressed regret when the Barca number 9 striker had a clumsy volley in the 56th minute, before attempting a left-footed curling shot that went wide after dribbling past two defenders. In injury time, facing an unmarked Bilbao goal, Suarez even shot directly at an opposing defender's leg and the ball bounced out.

After a thrilling victory in the second round, Barca will have two weeks of rest to make way for the international break. Coach Enrique's team will return with a match against Alaves in the third round on September 10th.

Messi created four chances for his teammates but none were enough to result in a goal.

According to VNE