Athletic Bilbao vs Barca, Super Cup Highlights

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona FULL HIGHLIGHTS SuperCopa HQ

Athletic Bilbao - 2, Barca - 2

FC Barcelona looks like they will be al set to add their first silverware of this season at Camp Nou next week after securing a 2-1 away victory at Sam Mames. With two away goals and a goal lead, it looks pretty unlikely that Barca will falter in winning the title. Athletic Bilbao went ahead towards the end of the first half but second half strikes from Xavi and Pedro secured Barca a deserving victory. The best moment of the match was Xavi receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd when he was substituted. That moment should be seen as the best reward for his contribution to football, especially nationa team. Guardiola selected Valdes at the goal ahead of Pinto. Alves, Puyol, Pique and Abidal started at the defense. Xavi, Toure Keita formed the midfield trio and Bojan, Henry and Pedro formed the attacking trio.

As expected Barca started the game well in the first half. Bojan had two decent chance in the first four minutes. Alves was at his menancing best throughout the match with his trademark runs through the flanks. In the 11th minute Alves tested the goal keeper with a 30 yard screamer but the custodian managed to save the same. But Bilbao slowly settled in the game and started causing more worries to Barca. Just before the half time Toure lost the ball, the ball came to De Marcos he turned inside Pique before shooting past Valdes with the help of a big deflection to go 1-0 up. Early on the second half, Barca were struggling to settle down. But we found the equaliser in the 58th minute. Keita went forward on the left and sent in a cross to Pedro who squared the ball to Xavi inside the box, who made no mistake from 12 yards. In the 68th minute Pedro sealed the victory with a screamer from 25 yards out. This may not have been a trademark performance but still as a start this was a very efficient one.

Spanish Super Cup 1st Leg Preview

Athletic Bilbao vs Barca Preview

In contrast to the other major leagues in Europe, the Spanish Super Cup is a two legged affair. The first leg will be held tonight at San Mamés ; the second leg will held at the Camp Nou next sunday. Guardiola has announced the squad which is travelling to face Athletic Bilbao - Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Maxwell, Abidal, Puyol, Piqué, Fontàs, Muniesa, Touré, Keita, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Busquets, Bojan, Pedro, Jeffren, Henry and Jonathan Dos Santos. Messi has been left out of squad as he is still nursing a strained left thigh. Meanwhile it is also decided that Messi will miss the League opener agains Gijon as he has been given permission to fly out to prepare for Argentina vs Brazil match. Along with Messi, Iniesta, Ibrahmovic and Marquez are also out of squad carrying different injuries. With so many huge stars missing Barca will be hoping to get a decent result which they can defend next week at home.

Guardiola will most probably chose Pinto ahead of Valdes at the goal. Alves, Pique, Puyol and Abidal should form the defense. Xavi, Toure and Busquets should form the midfield. Pedro, Bojan and Henry should form the attacking pair. Absence of Iniesta and Messi may not be a huge factor when playing against Bilbao; but complacency could be a big factor. Even with this somewhat weak line-up, I expect Barca to come up with a narrow victory. My prediction is a 2-0 victory away from home.