The Blaugranas conceded the first goal very early, on a loss of ball from Jules Koundé that allowed Alexander Sorloth to go against and serve Mikel Merino (5th). The Norwegian then himself concluded a counter generated by Martin Zubimendi (72nd) to seal the 2-0 that brings the Basques (currently 4th) closer to the Champions League.

The goal of the head of "Pichichi" Robert Lewandowski, from the head at the very end of the match, did not prevent Barça from suffering its first defeat of the season at home.

Despite the guard of honour reserved by the players of Imanol Alguacil for the fresh champions of Spain, and the banner "La Liga is ours, the future too" unfurled on the central circle before kick-off, it is without inferiority complex that the Basques entered the pitch.

And despite the result, the Blaugranas' celebrations were not contained at the end of the match. Sergio Busquets, leaving, lifted his last trophy as Barca captain, and warned the fans: "We wanted to win titles and we did it as a great team. And it's just beginning!"

Zubimendi, murderous target

But his men were happier after than during the game. As early as the 5th minute, the first goal was offered by Koundé: the French international defender wanted to clear Sorloth with a dribble, but lost the ball.

© Lluis GENE /

And the second, similar to the first, was started by a player targeted by Xavi and the Blaugrana club this summer: Zubimendi stole the ball from Frenkie de Jong, then at the end of the action, found himself serving the ball 2-0 to Sorloth.

"Zubimendi is an extraordinary midfielder. He understands the model of football that we like here at Barça, he is dominant with and without the ball. (...) And after the departure of Busquets, the priority recruitment will be that of a pivot, "had slipped Xavi Friday in a pre-match press conference.

Barça tried to respond with Franck Kessié (15th, 18th), who missed the frame, but it was especially the Basques who threatened Marc-André ter Stegen: Ander Barrenetxea (27th) or Mohamed-Ali Cho (30th) did not cease to pose a threat to the Catalan cage.

With these two goals conceded, his 14th and 15th of the season in the league, Barça will no longer be able to beat the record of Chelsea of 2004-2005 under Jose Mourinho, who had conceded only 15 goals in 38 days, a historical record in the five major European championships. At best, he will be able to match it.

Ter Stegen will have only three games left to try to get a 26th game without conceding a goal and equal the record of "clean-sheets" in La Liga.

Lazaro sees triple

Earlier in the day, in Girona, Villarreal snatched all three points in extra time thanks to a goal by Gerard Moreno in the 90th+4 (2-1).

Thanks to this success, the "Yellow Submarine" had moved within two points of Real Sociedad before the victory of the Basques in Catalonia, and chased Girona (8th) from the European places.

© Lluis GENE /

The Catalans were doubled by Athletic Bilbao, who dominated Celta Vigo 2-1 thanks to two goals from Inaki Williams (5th) and Alex Berenguer (54th).

At the bottom of the table, Almeria took a bite out of Mallorca 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from 21-year-old Brazilian nugget Lazaro (12th, 42nd, 58th), and Getafe and Elche left each other back to back 1-1.

If the Illicitains are already relegated, the Madrid commuters will still have to fight for the maintenance: they are provisionally the first non-relegable team, equal points with Valladolid (35 points), first relegation.

On Sunday, the two Madrid clubs will continue to engage in a breathless duel for 2nd place, currently occupied by Real who will travel to Valencia. Atletico will receive Osasuna.

© 2023 AFP