Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona: Depay rescues point for Barca

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Memphis Depay was signed by Barcelona as a free transfer from Lyon to July

Barcelona moved up to the top in La Liga thanks to goals scored by Memphis Depay, who saved a point at Athletic Bilbao.

After Athletic Bilbao's dominance, Inigo Martinez's head opener was cancelled by Depay's fierce strike.

Both sides missed the crossbar and both failed to seize multiple chances to win all three points.

Eric Garcia, a Barca defender, was sent home in injury time after fouling Nico Williams during a clean through.

Ronald Koeman's team is in transition. The loss of Lionel Messi has left them searching for a new talisman, and looking for new ways to win.

Depay may be their new hero. Depay scored a stunning first goal for the club, and was close to scoring a winner, but he was unable to score.

Bilbao sensed weakness, and tore into their illustrious visitors right from the kick-off.

Inaki Williams terrorized a nervous looking Barca backline, and Ohian Sancet, his strike partner, hit the crossbar with an expert swivel shot.

Gerard Pique was forced to leave Koeman's team midway through the second half. Ronald Araujo, who was replacing Gerard Pique, had a stunning goal disallowed by Martin Braithwaite for a foul.

Frenkie de Jong was almost levelled by Depay's strike, but Koeman has defensive problems for next week’s home match against Getafe. Garcia had defeated Williams in stoppage and was dismissed.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, title rivals, will have the opportunity to leapfrog Barcelona if they win their games Sunday.