Bilbao: Barcelona’s two-year reign of the Copa del Rey was in jeopardy after they lost to a nine-man Athletic Bilbao 1-2 at a packed San Mames Stadium here Thursday.
Athletic played a man down from the 74th minute, and two men short from the 80th because of red cards in a drama-filled first leg match in the round of 16.
Aritz Aduriz scored and set up another goal in the first half for Athletic, and Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona from a free-kick early in the second half. Messi hit the post from inside the area three minutes into stoppage time, and Paco Alcacer missed the open net off the rebound.
“We reacted well and deserved a draw for all the chances we created,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said after the game. “We just lacked that touch of precision in front of the goal.”
Athletic beat Barcelona for only the third time in 32 matches over the last 10 years. In that period, Barcelona have beaten Athletic in three Copa del Rey finals, won their last three La Liga games, and won both legs of their quarterfinal match-up last year.
But a draw next week in the second leg at Camp Nou will be enough to send Athletic to the quarterfinals. “We are happy,” Atlhetic coach Ernesto Valverde said. “We earned a small advantage and we will try to maintain it in the second leg. It will be difficult because the game will be at Nou Camp. But we will give it our all. ”
Athletic took control early as Aduriz’s header opened the scoring in the 25th, and Inaki Williams doubled the lead after a pass by Aduriz in the 28th.
Messi pulled Barcelona closer by hitting the target with a swirling shot off a free-kick in the 52nd minute, with the ball just barely crossing the line after a save attempt by goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz.
Second yellow cards for midfielders Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe reduced Athletic, who then had to endure a siege by the visitors.
Athletic’s only loss at San Mames this season was against Barcelona in their first home game in the league. Since then, they have won 11 games and drawn one.
Associated Press
