Barcelona suffered towards the end but the league leaders hung on to claim a victory against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés.
Raphinha scored the winner after VAR reversed the call on the field of offside. More on VAR later.
The entire Catalan defense was called into action and they responded each time. The win was important to maintain the nine-point cushion over Real Madrid heading into another edition of El Clasico this weekend.
With that being said, here are four talking points stemming from the win.
Once Barcelona take the lead, it is all but a guaranteed win
The 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao was Barcelona’s ninth win by that same scoreline of the season, breaking a LaLiga record.
One can argue whether or not Barcelona were good in those wins but the fact of the matter is once they get the lead, it is difficult for an opponent to bag an equalizer. Whether it’s their defensive fortitude or poor finishing by the opponent, the Catalans have hung on to win. Something that could not have been said for last season’s team or even the team before that.
Part of their narrow wins also has to do with them not being able to score a second and see the game off. Against Athletic Bilbao, they had a handful of opportunities to do just that. While they’ll take the positive result, there’s little doubt one of the things Xavi wants is for his team to take their chances if nothing else to make their lives, and of their supporters, less stressful.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen once again comes up big
Barcelona have only conceded eight goals in LaLiga, easily giving them the best defense in the league. However, even with improved personnel in the backline, it has been the resurgence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen that has helped the club not only win, but keep a clean sheet in the process.
He was called upon a number of times against Athletic Bilbao, especially late in the game. The highlight was likely his block of Iker Muniain’s curler that looked destined to end up in the back of the net.
He also saved a point-blank effort though if it had gone in, it would have been called back as the player was offside. Regardless, that save was evidence of the type of season the German goalkeeper is having.
Not only does he have new hair, but he now seems recovered from a knee injury that was plaguing him last season. His performances this season, at least in Spain, is one of the reasons Barcelona find themselves at the top of the table.
VAR controversy
We would be remiss if we did not mention the controversial call in which Gil Manzano ruled out Athletic Bilbao’s equalizer after a handball was called on Muniain. Replay showed the ball did hit his arm in the lead up to the goal. Given everything surrounding Barcelona at the moment, it was inevitable it was going to end up a talking point.
As things stand, any call in favor of Barcelona is going to be met with suspicion and opposing fans are going to use it as another example of LaLiga being corrupt and Barcelona doing shady things behind the scenes, regardless of if the call is correct or not.
The fervor was amplified after a VAR review reversed an offside in Raphinha’s goal at the end of the first-half.
For what remains of the season, the environment Barcelona witnessed is the one they’re going to receive in away games. Something that is unlikely to go away even if the Negreira case is resolved with the club, and the individuals involved, not having done anything criminally wrong.
An almost insurmountable gap heading in to El Clasico
With the win, Barcelona once again moved nine points clear of Real Madrid. Barcelona now have the opportunity to all but put the race to bed should they pick up all three points against their biggest rivals next weekend.
A draw could also prove more than enough.
In any case, the nine-point lead gives Xavi and his team margin for error even if they were to lose to Real Madrid.
The margin for error is probably the last thing on their mind with winning being the one and only thing. They got Robert Lewandowski back against Athletic Bilbao. Barcelona will be further strengthened with the probable return of their midfield maestro Pedri.