MADRID, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona failed to win for the third time in three matches when they were held by Athletic Club Bilbao in the seventh round of matches in the Liga Santander this weekend.
Barca coach Ernesto Valverde rested Leo Messi, and in the first half his side never looked comfortable against a rival that took the game to them and opened the scoring through Oscar de Marcos four minutes before halftime.
Messi and Sergio Busquets both got into the action early in the second half and it was Barca's turn to get onto the front foot with Phillipe Coutinho and Messi both hitting the woodwork before Munir equalized in the 84th minute after a pass from the Argentinean.
Valverde was forced to defend his decision to rest Messi after the game, but just as worrying for Barca is the dependence the team has on its star player despite the presence of others such as Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Coutinho.
Barca's setback meant that the winner of the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico Madrid in would go top of the table, but despite Atletico have the better chances in the first 45 minutes and Real Madrid being on top for the second half, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak have a lot of responsibility for the lack of goals, but neither side were particularly inspired in attack in an intense match, which saw Gareth Bale suffer at groin injury and fail to appear for the second half.
Those results meant Alaves could have gone joint top with a win away to Levante on Sunday, but even though Ruben Soriano put them ahead after just six minutes, strikes from Jason and Antonio Aranda turned the score around before halftime to give Levante a 2-1 home win.
Sevilla moved into the top four thanks to a convincing 3-1 win away to Eibar with second half goals from Andre Silva and a brace from Ever Banega.
Unfortunately the enduring image of the game will be that of a crash barrier in the stand where the Sevilla fans were positioned giving way as they celebrated their side's second goal.
10 people were taken to hospital for treatment, although luckily none of the injuries were serious.
Kevin Gameiro's first half goal was enough to give Valencia their first victory of the campaign with a 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad, who would have taken a point if Willian Jose had not missed a second half penalty.
Loren Moron's second goal in two games gave Betis their second consecutive 1-0 win and a 1-0 win over Leganes: Betis had over 80 percent of the ball, but it wasn't until the 89th minute until the striker sealed the points and brought Leganes back to earth after their midweek win over Barca.
Recently promoted Valladolid made it seven points from a possible nine in the week with a 1-0 win away to Villarreal. Leonardo Suarez's 53rd minute goal sent the points to Valladolid, but the visitors had to thank goalkeeper Jordi Masip to thank for saving a 74th minute penalty from Gerard Moreno.
Huesca are still searching for their first win in the top flight after being held to a 1-1 draw by Girona with both goals from the penalty spot as Melero cancelled out Cristhian Stuani's opener for the visitors.
