Barcelona exacted revenge for their Spanish Super Cup defeat by Athletic Bilbao to get off to a winning start in La Liga, as Real Madrid, their title rivals, were held to a draw in Rafael Benitez’s first match in charge.
Lionel Messi’s troubles from the spot continued as he saw a first-half penalty saved by Gorka Iraizoz. He missed four spot-kicks for club and country last season and has failed with 14 of his 63 penalties for Barcelona.
However, Luis Suárez ensured that the miss did not prove costly as he volleyed home early in the second half to hand the champions the win.
Luis Enrique’s men were returning to the ground on which they were thrashed 4-0 in the first leg of the Super Cup nine days ago and were without the suspended Gerard Piqué, while Neymar has only just returned to training after a bout of the mumps. Athletic, though, struggled to match their high-energy performances in the two Super Cup matches, after playing in the Europa League on Thursday.
After a quiet start, the game burst into life when the referee pointed to the spot, after Suárez went down under a challenge from Gorka Elustondo. However, Messi’s penalty was saved.
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Iraizoz produced an even better stop moments later to prevent Suárez sweeping home Sergi Roberto’s cross and ensure that Athletic went in level at the break.
But the Uruguayan striker was not to be denied eight minutes into the second half as he connected sweetly with Jordi Alba’s cross.
Roberto smashed a powerful shot off the bar as Barcelona threatened to double their advantage, but they suffered an injury blow when Sergio Busquets was taken off on a stretcher off with an ankle problem.
Benitez’s Real Madrid reign got off to a poor start as his side were held to a 0-0 draw away to newly promoted Sporting Gijon.
Gareth Bale, starting in a central role, was ineffective and Cristiano Ronaldo wayward in front of goal as Real struggled. Gijon might have won it late on, but Sanabria’s header hit the crossbar.