Ter Stegen hails Barca defensive effort as Xavi hits out at Athletic fans' 'hostility'

Raphinha's strike earned Barca a 1-0 win as Athletic fans throw fake banknotes with the word 'mafia' printed on them into the air in protest at the visitors over ‘Negreira case’

Athletic supporters throw fake money with Barcelona's logo to protest against the 'Negreira Case'. EPA

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen hailed a team effort as the Catalans kept another clean sheet to take a closer step to a first Liga title in four years with a 1-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao.

Raphinha's strike earned Barca a 1-0 win over the Basques on Sunday to restore their nine-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

It was a 19th clean sheet in 25 league games for Xavi's side this season and was also their ninth 1-0 win of the campaign.

The form of Ter Stegen is a big reason for the majority of those shutouts, and the Germany international was called upon to make some some superb saves in the second half against Athletic.

The hosts came close to breaching Barca's goal through an Alex Berenguer effort that struck the post, while Robert Lewandowski cleared an effort off his own line.

Athletic striker Inaki Williams had a late goal disallowed after VAR spotted a handball by Iker Muniain in the build-up.

"In the end what counts [is holding on], we defended with everybody, including in goal, on the goal line, these are games we have to win," Ter Stegen told DAZN.

"I have not seen the disallowed goal, but that's why we have VAR. It's a decision [the officials] have to take. We are very happy to keep another clean sheet."

Barca ratings

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  BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 9 - Warned for timewasting in the second half as Barça tried to hold out against the Basques, then he dived to push a Munian save away and another from Williams to keep his side in the game. Man of the match. EPA

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  Sergi Roberto 6 - Booked amid the Athletic onslaught, but helped Barca hold out to go nine points clear at the top of La Liga with only 13 games to play. EPA

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  Jules Kounde 8 - Played as a central defender in the absence of Araujo. Ball bounced over his head after 24 minutes and created a great chance for Athletic, but otherwise fantastic. EPA

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  Andreas Christensen 7 - The Dane again showed why he was such a good signing for Barcelona last year. Reuters

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  Alejandro Balde 7 - Got in behind the stubborn Basque defence to cross to Lewandowski on 51 minutes. EPA

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  Frenkie de Jong 8 - Super pass to Lewandowski on 16 minutes. Dropped deeper in midfield midway through the first half, then fouled by Munian after 86 minutes which led to VAR ruling Williams’ equaliser out. AFP

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  Sergio Busquets 7 - Half-volleyed a shot over after nine minutes, his side’s second chance. Superb assist for Raphinha’s opener. EPA

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  Gavi 7 - Covered much ground. EPA

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  Robert Lewandowski 7 - Clean through on 16 minutes but took an uncharacteristic heavy second touch and the ball ran away from him. Cleared a Basque chance from his own box. Headed wide on 52 minutes. Getty Images

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  Ferran Torres 6 - Volleyed wide in the first minute, moved wide when Fati came on. Still no goals. AFP

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  Raphinha 8 - Continued his good form to put Barcelona ahead, a right footed finish for the left footer. A performance described by Barca boss Xavi as “a golden victory for us, golden three points." AFP

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  SUBS: Franck Kessie 6 - On for Ferran Torres as Xavi’s side sought to protect their lead. AFP

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  Marcos Alonso 6 - On for Sergi Roberto on 82 minutes. Tried to keep up with Williams as he ran onto the ball to equalise – but the goal was disallowed. Key block in the 93rd minute. AFP

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  Ansu Fati 6 - On for Raphinha after 82 minutes and straight to the left where he had a shot blocked within seconds. AFP

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  Angel Alarcon N/A - On for Gavi in the 94th minute. Getty Images

It was Barcelona's first game after being charged with corruption by Spanish prosecutors over alleged payments to a former vice president of Spain’s referees’ committee.

Athletic fans threw fake banknotes with the word "mafia" printed on them into the air, in protest at the visitors in what is being labelled as the ‘Negreira case’.

"I respect the fans at San Mames, they have always treated me well," said Xavi. "It surprises me this atmosphere of hostility towards Barca. It saddens me there's hostility towards Barca at San Mames, I don't think it's good for society."

With Ronald Araujo suspended, Xavi used Jules Kounde alongside Andreas Christensen and started Sergi Roberto at right-back.

In-form winger Raphinha finished well from Sergio Busquets' clever pass before the break, against the run of play, and top scorer Lewandowski missed two good chances on his return from injury.

Athletic fans throw fake money to protest against the 'Negreira Case' during the match against Barcelona. EPA

It was all Athletic again after that, with Berenguer hitting the post and Ter Stegen denying Muniain.

Eventually Williams blasted past Ter Stegen after racing through on goal but Athletic were left infuriated after Muniain's handball was spotted at the start of the move.

The win leaves the Catalans sitting comfortably clear ahead of next Sunday's Clasico at Camp Nou, while Athletic are winless in five in the top flight.

"I think that VAR is there to correct big flagrant errors," Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde told DAZN.

"Huge errors, balls that went in, or not. Calling the referee because it touched him, or it didn't touch him ... I don't know if this belongs in the world of football."