MADRID: Barcelona recorded their best ever start to a La Liga season as coach Ernesto Valverde enjoyed a successful return to Athletic Bilbao thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Paulinho in a 2-0 win on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). “The truth is we struggled a lot, especially in the second-half,” Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told Movistar TV. Messi was at the heart of another flowing team move to break the deadlock eight minutes before half time. Paulinho should have extended the visitors’ advantage when he smacked the crossbar moments later, but an under-par Barca had to withstand plenty of Athletic pressure after the break. Raul Garcia’s header also hit the woodwork, while Ter Stegen produced another stunning stop from Aduriz five minutes from time.

Source: Manila Times October 29, 2017 09:42 UTC