We’re lacking spark, Setien says after win
Barcelona coach Quique Setien admitted his side have struggled to get going since the season returned following the three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after a scrappy 1-0 win at home against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.
Barca needed a late goal from substitute Ivan Rakitic to see off a determined Athletic side and although they picked up a third win in four matches since the season re-started, they again failed to sparkle.
"When teams offer you little space you have to be very precise and agile and we have been lacking that since we returned," Setien told a virtual news conference. "It's not been easy and we are missing something overall, a bit of spark. Our opponents have a lot to do with this because they are sticking together and leaving hardly any space and we're finding it hard to open them up. But I think we'll start to find it easier the more the season goes on."
Barca thrashed Real Mallorca 4-0 on their return but looked rusty in last week's 2-0 victory over struggling Leganes and on Friday were held 0-0 at Sevilla, allowing Real Madrid to go top of the league on Sunday.
The win over Athletic took Barca three points ahead of Madrid provisionally.
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