LaLiga 2019-20: 5 talking points from Athletic Bilbao's 1-0 win over Barcelona

Barcelona faced early misery at the San Mames as they lost 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao in their first LaLiga match of the season.

The team news was headlined by the absence of Lionel Messi heading into the game. Messi was not in the Barcelona squad due to a calf problem. The Argentine has not featured for his club after he represented his country in the Copa America this summer.

Philippe Coutinho was also not in the lineup as he is rumored to be on his way to Bayern Munich on a loan move.

Most other players lined up, and that led to an exciting encounter. The first half was dominated by the home side and they had the better chances. But neither side could convert, and the game was goalless at the interval.

An injury to Luis Suarez forced him off and Rafinha came on in his absence.

The second half saw more of the same, as the game was devoid of clear chances. Bilbao dropped deep, Ernesto Valverde made his substitutions, but to no avail.

But as it turned out, it was Gaizka Garitano whose changes made the impact. On came veteran striker Aritz Aduriz, and he sealed the win for Bilbao with a stunning overhead kick in the dying moments. It was a goal to remember for the 38-year-old.

Aduriz made sure that Barcelona started the season in the worst possible way while sending the home crowd into raptures. Here are the talking points from the encounter.

#5 Messi's absence was felt in a drab Barca display

It's a new season, but the Barcelona display was eerily similar to those from last season. They had too much possession, but too little threat to the opposition goal. Barcelona took 11 shots in the match, but only two of those were on target. They failed to carve out big chances and offered little threat in Bilbao's box.

One of the main reasons for this was the absence of Lionel Messi. The skipper is hugely important to this side, and his absence was felt keenly. The likes of Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann failed to make an impact when the onus was on them.

Ernesto Valverde will be concerned about how toothless his side looked in attack. They have Messi to call upon when he returns, but the lack of a plan B is jarring.

Maybe Messi will be enough to silence the doubts, but there's a significant chance that he won't. If that is the case, then Valverde will certainly be in trouble.

#4 Bilbao execute Garitano's gameplan perfectly

Garitano would be delighted with the win

Bilbao took on the defending champions with a certain mindset and gameplan, and their players did a commendable job on the implementation front. The home side looked impressive from the off and provided staunch opposition to Barca throughout the game.

They started the game on a high and had the better of the first half. Inaki Williams' pace was a constant threat, and he drew the first save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Their press contained Barca and did not enable them to find any openings.

As the game progressed, their approach changed a bit. Bilbao were comfortable dropping back in the second half as Barca had the majority of the possession. But some organised positioning meant that Barca failed to carve out many chances.

Then Aduriz turned up to wrap up the performance with the perfect ending. All things considered, it was a great display from Bilbao, which bodes well for the season to come.

#3 Promising debut for Frenkie de Jong

It would take some man to dethrone Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, but Frenkie de Jong seems to be the one who can do it. The former Ajax midfielder started the game in Busquets' position, and he did an admirable job. It was not a perfect game by any standards, but it was an impressive debut.

This was De Jong's competitive debut for Barcelona since his move from Ajax in the summer. He played as the deepest midfielder and was calm on the ball like always. He did not lose possession a single time in the game.

Aside from circulating the possession effectively, he made two interceptions as well. His reading of the game was immaculate, as it usually is.

De Jong could improve his creative input, but the signs are promising for now. Aged just 22, his debut suggests that Barca have potentially unearthed a gem.

#2 Unlike Frenkie, things not as smooth for Antoine

Griezmann failed to make a mark in his debut

Just like De Jong, Antoine Griezmann made his bow for his new club against Athletic Bilbao. He started the game on the right wing but shifted into a more central role when Luis Suarez exited.

Griezmann did not get many touches in the early stages of the game and he made little penetration towards the Bilbao goal.

He found his feet as the game progressed, but the lack of chemistry with his teammates was showing. Even though he played in his preferred central position in the second half, he failed to make a great impact.

The Frenchman is in his early days at Barcelona, and he should be afforded the benefit of the doubt. He is still settling in with the philosophy and players and it will take time before he fits in perfectly. Given his quality, the odds are on him to find his feet at Barca.

#1 Barcelona's attack is looking thin ahead after the first game

Coming into the new season, Barcelona looked to have talent in abundance in the attacking positions. But just one game in, their forward department looks thin all of a sudden.

The major absentee in this area is, without a doubt, Lionel Messi. The captain is dealing with a calf injury which will keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Barcelona were hugely dependent on Messi last season, and his importance in the side cannot be exaggerated. Aside from Messi, Luis Suarez is also a doubt. He started the game but exited before half-time with an injury.

It looked like a calf problem, and we will know more about it in the coming days.

Philippe Coutinho is on his way out of the club, which leaves one of Rafinha and Carles Perez as the only option for the third forward. If that continues to be so, there could be tough times ahead for Barcelona.

Edited by Musab Abid