Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points, LaLiga 2018/19

#4 Ter Stegen thwarts near-perfect Athletic gameplan

Ter Stegen had a brilliant game

The possession statistics might disagree, but Gaizka Garitano's gameplan worked brilliantly against Barcelona. However, a man of the match performance from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen salvaged a draw for the visitors.

Athletic had just 33% possession in the game and completed less than half the passes Barcelona completed. But they posed the majority of attacking threat, troubling the Barca defense on the counter. Ter Stegen pulled off a brilliant save to deny Markel Susaeta's curling effort in the first half. In total, he made 5 stops, which included another blinder of a save from Inaki Williams.

Garitano's side had better chances in the game and they held Barcelona at bay. They had more shots, as well as more shots on target. But in goal, they came up against an inspired goalkeeper, and Ter Stegen did not let anything in.