Barcelona must come from behind in the Copa del Rey as the holders began 2017 with a tempestuous 2-1 defeat to nine-man Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Evergreen striker Aritz Aduriz headed Athletic in front and set up a thunderous second from winger Inaki Williams before the half-hour mark.

But the Spain striker found himself at the centre of a flashpoint that sent a crackling San Mames towards boiling point when he struck Samuel Umtiti in the throat only to escape punishment, as the Barcelona centre-back writhed in pain by his own goalmouth.

Referee Fernandez Borbalan further endeared himself to away boss Luis Enrique, with one of the surest penalty shouts of Neymar’s career falling on deaf ears before Barca’s players departed for half-time amid a hail of bookings for dissent.

Lionel Messi’s 24th goal of the season arrived courtesy of an error by Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz and, although Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe had their evenings ended early by wayward disciplinarian Borbalan, Athletic held out.

Barca must attempt to conclude a comeback at Camp Nou in six days’ time, on the other side of a tricky LaLiga trip to fourth-placed Villarreal.

Rest of the article @ http://uneekomunikations.com/wp/athletic-bilbao-defeats-f-c-barcelona-by-two-goals-to-one/