Seventeen-year-old Marc Guiu scored 33 seconds into his debut for FC Barcelona, who defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in LaLiga action on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Result: Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
Date: 22 October 2023
Venue: Lluis Companys Olimpic
Barca made two changes to the side that drew with Granada before the FIFA break, as Inigo Martinez took the place of the injured Jules Kounde in the centre of defence and Oriel Romeu was recalled in place of teenage forward Yamine Yamal.
Blaugrana had a bright start as Joao Felix had a great chance within 11 minutes with a first-time shot that came off the crossbar after a cross by Ferran Torres.
The Catalan giants continued to create chances but Athletic were also up for it in the last third, as ten minutes later Inaki Williams had a cracking volley on the edge of the box that was tipped over the crossbar by shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
After a good balance of play, Ernesto Valverde's charges had great opportunities towards the end of the first stanza as just before the interval Nico Williams had a shot that was seemingly headed for the bottom corner but Ter Stegen kept the score deadlocked with an outstanding save from his leg.
Blaugrana had another good start in the second stanza, creating chances but they were not clinical and on the hour-mark, Xavi eventually brought on Yamal in place of Oriol Romeu for a different approach in attack.
The hosts burst forward with pace and Joao Cancelo came close 15 minutes before time with a low strike that was well saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon after he drifted inside the box.
Xavi made another attacking change in the last ten minutes, as 17-year old Marc Guiu replaced Fermin Lopez for fresh legs.
Guiu made an immediate impact for Barca, as he broke the deadlock just after coming on with a strike past the onrushing Simon after a through ball by Felix.
With the game on the edge in the dying minutes, Felix almost killed the game for Blaugrana in the last minute with a close-range header that was crucially tipped over the crossbar by Simon.
In the end Barca kept Bilbao at bay and clinch a narrow win that moved them up to within one point of leaders Real Madrid in third spot on the table.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
