Barcelona came into this season dreaming of picking up six trophies, but that dream has already come to an end. They got wrecked at San Mames in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup and were unable to mount a comeback at home. Hilariously, they’ll have to play Athletic Bilbao again on Sunday in their first match in the new La Liga season.
Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch La Liga online
The Blaugrana are coming off a Super Cup defeat at the hands of Los Leones and would like to redeem themselves.
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Gerard Pique will miss out after insulting a referee (and his mother) during the second leg of the Supercopa. He was provisionally suspended for four matches for his actions. Between that, injuries, Neymar’s mumps and a transfer ban, Barcelona are looking pretty thin.
But Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are among the players the Blaugrana will have available, so they can hardly be called underdogs. They'll be motivated to avenge their Supercopa defeat and avoid giving Real Madrid an early leg-up in the title race.
Key Player: Aymeric Laporte
Athletic’s young star defender put in two excellent performances in the Supercopa. He’ll need to be spectacular again if his team wants to make it three in a row without defeat against Barca.
Can Barcelona bounce back?
Sure, they have Messi. But without Pique and Neymar in the lineup, it’s going to be tough. They’re going to need to get something they haven’t seen out of Andres Iniesta yet this season as well — the Blaugrana legend is starting to look very old, and Ivan Rakitic can’t do two jobs at once.
Athletic Bilbao injuries and suspensions
Out: Iker Muniain (knee), Jonas Ramalho (knee). In doubt: Inaki Williams (hamstring), Xabier Etxeitia (knee), Mikel San Jose (knock), Ander Iturraspe (thigh)
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Gerard Pique (suspended), Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal (ineligible). In doubt: Neymar (illness), Adriano (groin).
Match date/time: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local
Venue: San Mames, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada - English), beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 3 (U.K.), Canal+ (Spain)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. and Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
Listings for more countries at LiveSoccerTV.
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