SUB: Martin Braithwaite (on for Dembele after 87) with more defensive responsibility than anything else. Still found himself in space to score in time added on, but Messi ignored him. Reuters
BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7. Couldn't make a fourth clean sheet in five league games, but Barça made it five straight wins. The team are up to second, but 10 points behind Atletico having played a game more. No shot on target in the first half to save, but needed to be alert in second against resurgent Basques. AFP
Oscar Mingueza 7. He’s not a right-back but was preferred to fit again Sergi Roberto, despite a leaked internal report suggested he wasn’t good enough for Barça. Performed well tracking Munian in first half, but then suffered as the Basques put two onto him in the second half. Athletic’s equaliser came from a cross on the right … but Mingueza got beyond Munian to cross for Griezmann to score second. Getty Images
Samuel Umtiti 7. Ball-playing defender preferred to Lenglet but the second player named in a leaked report with doubts about his quality. Faultless in the first half. AFP
Ronald Araujo 7. Very strong physically and neat on the ball against a side who demanded he was on form. AFP
Jordi Alba 6. Got into the offensive positions in a strong first half from Barça, but De Marcos got behind him and Alba put the ball onto his own goal on 49 minutes. Booked for his protestations. AFP
Miralem Pjanic 7. In for suspended Busquets. Sprinted forward to make a super header from a 57th minute Griezmann cross which produced an even better save from Simon. Reuters
Frenkie de Jong 7. Changed role for the in-from Dutchman who scored four in January. Played as a holding midfielder against an organised, rejuvenated Athletic side and did well. Booked. AFP
Pedri 8. Impressive first half and while he’s known for attacking, was effective in defence. Won ball from an Athletic attack to set up Messi in time added on. Another 90 minutes for the 18-year-old Canarian. Reuters
Antoine Griezmann 7. Created space for those around him and stepped up to score the winner, calmly meeting a Munieza cross to send his team second. “We’re enjoying Messi, he’s a legend,” he said after the game. And we’re winning games, we’re on a good run.” AFP
Lionel Messi 9. Headline news with accusation that his contract is so big he’s been the financial ruin of Barça. Early chance blocked but his 19th minute free-kick – his 650th Barça goal - beat the wall and the man post there to stop it. Sublime. Reuters
Ousmane Dembele 7. In form and injury free. Started well, ran at players but the Basques, who’d been in two 3-2 games against Barça in January, winning one and losing one, came back in the second. Initially quieter in second half but full of energy both defending and attacking and becoming an important player for his team. Reuters
SUB: Sergi Roberto 6 (on for Pjanic after 67). Club stalwart and a positive to see him back on the pitch for the first time since November following a muscle injury and coronavirus. Getty Images
SUB: Clement Lenglet 6 (on for Griezmann after 84) Barça packed their defence – which shows how respected Athletic are. Getty Images
SUB: Martin Braithwaite (on for Dembele after 87) with more defensive responsibility than anything else. Still found himself in space to score in time added on, but Messi ignored him. Reuters
BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7. Couldn't make a fourth clean sheet in five league games, but Barça made it five straight wins. The team are up to second, but 10 points behind Atletico having played a game more. No shot on target in the first half to save, but needed to be alert in second against resurgent Basques. AFP
Oscar Mingueza 7. He’s not a right-back but was preferred to fit again Sergi Roberto, despite a leaked internal report suggested he wasn’t good enough for Barça. Performed well tracking Munian in first half, but then suffered as the Basques put two onto him in the second half. Athletic’s equaliser came from a cross on the right … but Mingueza got beyond Munian to cross for Griezmann to score second. Getty Images
Samuel Umtiti 7. Ball-playing defender preferred to Lenglet but the second player named in a leaked report with doubts about his quality. Faultless in the first half. AFP
Ronald Araujo 7. Very strong physically and neat on the ball against a side who demanded he was on form. AFP
Jordi Alba 6. Got into the offensive positions in a strong first half from Barça, but De Marcos got behind him and Alba put the ball onto his own goal on 49 minutes. Booked for his protestations. AFP
Miralem Pjanic 7. In for suspended Busquets. Sprinted forward to make a super header from a 57th minute Griezmann cross which produced an even better save from Simon. Reuters
Frenkie de Jong 7. Changed role for the in-from Dutchman who scored four in January. Played as a holding midfielder against an organised, rejuvenated Athletic side and did well. Booked. AFP
Pedri 8. Impressive first half and while he’s known for attacking, was effective in defence. Won ball from an Athletic attack to set up Messi in time added on. Another 90 minutes for the 18-year-old Canarian. Reuters
Antoine Griezmann 7. Created space for those around him and stepped up to score the winner, calmly meeting a Munieza cross to send his team second. “We’re enjoying Messi, he’s a legend,” he said after the game. And we’re winning games, we’re on a good run.” AFP
Lionel Messi 9. Headline news with accusation that his contract is so big he’s been the financial ruin of Barça. Early chance blocked but his 19th minute free-kick – his 650th Barça goal - beat the wall and the man post there to stop it. Sublime. Reuters
Ousmane Dembele 7. In form and injury free. Started well, ran at players but the Basques, who’d been in two 3-2 games against Barça in January, winning one and losing one, came back in the second. Initially quieter in second half but full of energy both defending and attacking and becoming an important player for his team. Reuters
SUB: Sergi Roberto 6 (on for Pjanic after 67). Club stalwart and a positive to see him back on the pitch for the first time since November following a muscle injury and coronavirus. Getty Images
SUB: Clement Lenglet 6 (on for Griezmann after 84) Barça packed their defence – which shows how respected Athletic are. Getty Images
SUB: Martin Braithwaite (on for Dembele after 87) with more defensive responsibility than anything else. Still found himself in space to score in time added on, but Messi ignored him. Reuters
