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

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."

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