FC Barcelona News: 17 August 2019

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Athletic Club – FC Barcelona: Out of luck (1-0) | FC Barcelona
A full San Mamés greeted the players for the opening game of the 2019/20 La Liga season. Wearing their new, all yellow away kit, Barça were quickly into their stride, working the ball around the pitch with ease. Marc-André ter Stegen pulled off a magnificent save to keep the scores level after a pure strike from Iñaki Williams on six minutes, and he denied the forward again before the quarter hour.

De Jong and Griezmann make official debuts | FC Barcelona
First fixture in La Liga and first appearance in official competition in a Barça shirt for Frenkie De Jong and Antoine Griezmann. The Dutchman and the Frenchman played all 90 minutes in the 1-0 defeat against Athletic Club in San Mamés after both had featured in all five preseason games, Griezmann managing to find the net in the second game against Napoli in the USA.

Injured right calf for Luis Suárez | FC Barcelona
The Uruguayan striker started the game against Athletic in San Mamés but was replaced on 37 minutes due to the injury. Rafinha came on to take his place and the midfielder struck the crossbar not long after entering the fray in Bilbao, Athletic keeper Unai Simón diverting his effort on to the woodwork.

Antoine Griezmann: Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says forward must ‘get in the game more’ | Sky Sports
Griezmann joined Barca from Atletico Madrid for 120m euros over the summer and was handed his debut at San Mames on Friday. However, he struggled to make an impact on the left of a front three in the first half, and did not fare much better when an injury to Luis Suarez saw him shifted into a more central role.

Athletic Bilbao ‘put us in our place’, says Pique | Goal
Gerard Pique conceded Barcelona were deservedly beaten by Athletic Bilbao, saying the defending La Liga champions were ‘put in our place’ at San Mames. A stunning overhead kick from veteran substitute striker Aritz Aduriz in the 89th minute snatched all three points for the home side in the opening Spanish top-flight match of 2019-20.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona agree deal for Coutinho | Marca
Barcelona were without Philippe Coutinho for Friday evening’s defeat against Athletic Club, with the Brazilian set to join Bayern Munich on a season-long loan with an option to buy. The former Liverpool star is due to arrive in Bavaria on Sunday as he looks to start a new chapter in his career.

‘He had it in his head’ - Valverde says Bayern-bound Coutinho wanted to leave in May | Goal
Philippe Coutinho wanted to leave Barcelona at the end of last season as he prepares to join Bayern Munich on loan, according to Ernesto Valverde. Barca and Bayern confirmed on Friday that an agreement is in place for Coutinho to move to the Bundesliga champions for the 2019-20 campaign – the deal including an option to buy the playmaker.

Source: barcablaugranes.com