Unconvincing but enough: Barcelona kicks off title defense with win at Athletic Bilbao

It was scrappy, but Barcelona kicked off its title defense with three points Sunday.

Visiting Athletic Bilbao in its La Liga season opener, the Catalan club prevailed over a missed penalty from Lionel Messi as well as injuries to Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, emerging with a 1-0 victory at San Mames Stadium courtesy of an emphatic finish from Luis Suarez.

The result also marked an improvement from the Supercopa de Espana, which saw Athletic defeat Barcelona 5-1 on aggregate and featured a 4-0 thrashing in Basque Country.

That said, there are more than a few reasons why supporters of the Blaugrana will have trouble sleeping.

In his pursuit of the Trofeo Pichichi, Messi squanded his third penalty kick since 2013 - the most of any player in that time - when 'keeper Gorka Iraizoz successfully tracked his low-placed shot and deflected it away using his right hand, sending Athletic supporters into a frenzy.

There was also the apparent groin injury and the apparent ankle injury that Alves and Busquets suffered, respectively. Both injuries stemmed from Aritz Aduriz, who - after scoring a hat trick in the Supercopa de Espana - will further cement himself as the scorn of Catalonia if unfavourable updates emerge regarding the pair's condition.

Aside from the missed penalty and the injuries, Barcelona lacked the fluidity that fueled its 23rd La Liga title last season, and Neymar's absence was noticeable. Very noticeable. Rafinha, for all his potential, isn't capable of replicating the production of his Brazilian compatriot.

With Neymar, Alves, and Busquets, as well as the suspended Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu all on the touchline, the fixture also served as a reminder of the club's lack of depth.

Then again, these types of performances happen, all the aforementioned names will soon be back on the pitch, and - most importantly - Barcelona is more than a club.