Nice and easy for Neymar

Comfortable return for Brazilian, who is linking up well with Messi at Barca, Andy Mitten reports from Camp Nou.

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao. AFP

Barcelona fans were singing for Catalan independence when Neymar came off the bench 17 minutes into the second half of their league game against Athletic Bilbao yesterday.

The number 17 is significant. A majority of the crowd sing after 17 minutes and 14 seconds of each half they play at home to mark a moment in Catalan history.

Yesterday was two days after the 300th anniversary of Barcelona falling to a Franco-Spanish army in the 1714 Spanish war of succession. It was also a day when Barca played while wearing the red and yellow shirts of the full Catalan flag for the first time at home.

Adding to the sentiment was the giant flag unfurled by the fans, who also held up large letters to read “We Will Be Free”.

But most of the tension in the stands as Neymar was introduced was for reasons other than politics: the football team they support could not score.

The Basques may have lost 11 of their 12 most recent encounters at Camp Nou, but they were defending heroically when Neymar entered the pitch.

Munir, the 19-year-old Spanish striker Neymar replaced, was cheered by 80,000 fans, but their hopes were that the Brazilian could offer a solution.

It took 16 minutes, but Neymar soothed those fevered brows with a game-changing opening goal. Then added a second five minutes later.

Both his strikes were assisted by Lionel Messi as Barca made it three wins from three league matches.

Neymar’s second season in Spain is significant. Despite being enveloped in scandal relating to his 2013 move from Santos, the Brazilian performed well enough in his first term at Barca to keep most critics at bay in a disappointing season for his club. Crucially, he also integrated into the dressing room.

The signing of Luis Suarez and the surge of progress from Munir, plus the always lively Pedro, means that he will have intense competition to play up front alongside Lionel Messi.

Manager Luis Enrique has the luxury of a plan A, B and C, but Neymar did his case no harm at all against Bilbao.

Munir started ahead of Neymar, who only returned from two Brazil friendlies in the United States on Thursday. The youngster was worthy of keeping his place in the team and Neymar later said: “Munir? The youngsters are really ready to play, Munir is a crack.”

It is easier to be magnanimous after you have just scored two goals to settle a match, but Neymar is right. He is also a world-class finisher, while at times Munir looked too hesitant in front of goal.

It is hardly a criticism, for the Spaniard got in the right positions and worked hard.

He even put the ball in the net after 49 minutes only for it to be judged offside, but Neymar has the power to turn a game and he used it to full effect.

Twice, he combined with Messi, which bodes well for their crucial relationship. Not every Barcelona striker has enjoyed the same warmth in their relationship with the Argentine.

“Messi’s quality is incredible,” said Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde. “He pulls three or four players towards him, which leaves others free.”

Messi did that for both goals and Enrique said: “Messi is not only the best player in the world for the goals he scores, but also for the assists he gives. I see Messi training every day and he does things you can’t even see in Captain Tsubasa [an animation series] or on PlayStation.” But the two goals belonged to Neymar.

“I’m becoming a better player playing with Messi. He’s the best player in the world,” Neymar said after the game. “I’m very happy with my game but the main thing is that I could help the team.”

Barca stay top of the league, with Messi and Neymar hitting their stride as the season warms up.

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