Barcelona’s winless run stretched to three games as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Athletic Bilbao side at Camp Nou on Saturday
Barcelona dominated much of the first half, but went into the break a goal behind as Oscar de Marcos put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute through a close-range effort. The hosts continued in the same vein post the interval, but luck deserted them until deep into regulation time.
However, it was their talisman Lionel Messi, who made the difference once again, pushing Bilbao further and further backwards since coming on in the 55th minute. And, the Argentinean wizard supplied the assist for the equaliser as he squared the ball for Munir El Haddadi to tap into the net past Unai Simon.
That was it for the match though, as it ended all square after 90 minutes. But, Barcelona fans made it a point to hail Messi after another impressive performance, albeit as a substitute this time.
Correction: Messi gave Barca a career as a club. https://t.co/ajDOveeLxp
— M•A•J¹³ (@Ultra_Suristic) September 29, 2018
A future without Messi really is the bleakest of panoramas for Barcelona. But he is 31 and that moment is unfortunately edging ever closer…
— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) September 29, 2018
Our chances to win something this season without Messi is literally none. pic.twitter.com/2aJ7GGzzaj
— infosmessi (@INFOSMESSl) September 29, 2018
Every time I watch Messi play football he impresses me. The guy is unreal, on his own level
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) September 29, 2018
Crazy how even with a team that has Coutinho, Suarez, Dembele, Vidal, etc. that the difference with Messi and without Messi was basically night and day. If Messi had started, Barcelona win this game for sure.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) September 29, 2018
Mans will see this Barcelona team without Messi & still say Messi isn't the greatest. Without Messi, Barcelona is just Crystal Palace with a bigger stadium.
— Baba Folarin (@That_IjebuBadoo) September 29, 2018
FC Barcelona- 90% Messi, 7% Ter Stegen, 2% other players, 1% luck
— Zoe ? (@imaginiuss) September 29, 2018
This Munir goal shows that Barcelona strikers really only need to stand in front of the goal as Messi does 99.9999% of the work pic.twitter.com/SmBjBXt12a
— Yu (@YucciMane) September 29, 2018
❗Lionel Messi only played 35 minutes, which was enough to become man of the match by preventing Barça from losing. pic.twitter.com/NLrtifccHR
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) September 29, 2018
Meanwhile, Barcelona fans had some choice words for Ernesto Valverde, whose decision to rest Messi could have cost the hosts dearly.
Valverde rested Messi and Busquets, leading to a disastrous performance, forcing the entire team to get unnecessarily tired pursuing a win (and failing) until the final minute. What a mess.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 29, 2018
Now I know why Valverde never rotated laat season. It's because he has no system in place and he knew it was all about individual brilliance.
Take Messi off and we are glorified Stoke City under Valverde.
— Josip ?️ (@jperkovic93) September 29, 2018
Messi ?
Disgusting tactics from Valverde pic.twitter.com/PwElsMXvDL
— mx (@LioMessi10i) September 29, 2018
Start Messi and Busquets, win the game in the first 60 minutes and then take them off and rest them. Instead of resting them from the start and having to bring them on after 60 minutes to help you get the win. Valverde’s decisions are stubborn and clueless.
— Ajax Amsterdam (@TheEuropeanLad) September 29, 2018
One point gained ???? Valverde masterclass yet again
— Barcastuff (@barcasstuff) September 29, 2018
Knowing Valverde is still Barca coach is heart breaking!! Should've been sack after losing to Roma last season. He clearly lacks technical abilities to coach Barca.
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) September 29, 2018
Valverde is nothing without Messi and there is nothing you can do about it.
— BlaugranaHome ?️ (@BlaugranaHome) September 29, 2018
Valverde has given us THE most boring straightforward ugly football I have ever seen from Barça. Time to go.
— NAZ (@FCNazalona) September 29, 2018
Messi at the Back? ?
Valverde is super clueless.. pic.twitter.com/w8FL6Ow2tf
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) September 29, 2018