On Sunday, Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-0 and regained a nine-point lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga standings thanks to Raphinha's goal.
Barcelona ended the uproar in their opening game after being accused of corruption by Spanish authorities, winning to move closer to their first championship since 2019 in the process.
With their 19th clean sheet in 25 La Liga games this season, the Catalans held on to earn their ninth 1-0 victory of the campaign, keeping second-place Madrid at bay after the champions overcame Espanyol on Saturday.
Alex Berenguer hit the post, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced some outstanding stops in the second half, but Athletic could not overcome the league leaders.
Did you read this?
When Inaki Williams finally scored late on, the goal was overturned by VAR because Iker Muniain had committed a handball in the preceding play.
Ter Stegen told DAZN, "In the end, holding on is what counts. We defended everyone, especially in goal, on the goal line, and we had to win these games.
"I have not watched the goal that was disallowed, but that is why VAR exists. They (the officials) must make a choice. We are overjoyed to maintain another perfect record".
Due to Ronald Araujo's absence, Xavi started Sergi Roberto as a right-back and paired Jules Kounde with Andreas Christensen.
Barcelona started well, still playing without injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Pedri, but Ferran Torres, beginning on the left, dragged a shot just wide of the near post.
To get in behind Sergi Roberto, Ernesto Valverde, who won two league championships with Barcelona before being fired in 2020 while his club was still in first place, shifted Nico Williams to the left wing.
Athletic, ranked ninth, upped their game, pressing Barcelona hard and never letting them relax. Despite the loss of crucial centre-back Araujo, the Catalans managed to maintain their composure.
While Barcelona clung to its lead, Raul Garcia headed the ensuing corner and slammed it off the crossbar.
Before halftime, they seized the lead against the odds after Sergio Busquets sent a deft pass to Raphinha, who finished coolly with his weaker right foot.
Since the goal was initially declared offside, Raphinha was in a legal position when he received the ball. Therefore the Brazilian was shortly permitted to celebrate. The Brazilian got the ball, and so the Brazilian was soon entitled to celebrate after the goal was initially ruled offside.
Last week, Barcelona defeated Valencia by the same score thanks mainly to a goal from Raphinha, who is now in the most extraordinary form of his career since signing from Leeds United.
Backs Against The Wall
After an excellent run and cross by Alejandro Balde, Lewandowski might have extended Barcelona's advantage in the second half, but he headed wide.
As Berenguer entered through the left back and hit the post, Athletic came close to tying the score again.
Athletic attacked in waves, and Ter Stegen produced a great stop at full stretch to save a Muniain shot from the edge of the box.
Inaki Williams eventually beat Ter Stegen after sprinting in on goal, but Athletic was furious since Muniain's handball was flagged at the beginning of the move.
The victory puts the Catalans comfortably ahead of Athletic, which has lost their last five games in the top division, ahead of the Clasico on Sunday at Camp Nou.
