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Luis Suarez injury could be a blessing for Barcelona

Frankly, that was pathetic.

The first opening day defeat in La Liga for 11 years, since the treble-winning season of 2008/09, and there was practically nothing to get excited about.

A trio of shots hitting the woodwork was just about as good as it got for Barca at San Mames.

Given that the Basques are usually the most accommodating of opponents for the Blaugrana - the last time Barca had been beaten in Bilbao in the league was over 60 years ago - the result is nothing short of disastrous.

It highlighted a number of issues that Ernesto Valverde will need to get to grips with in double quick time, and if he doesn’t want to have the fan base on his case any more than usual, he has got to step out of his comfort zone now.