Preview: Athletic Bilbao - Barça
Saturday, 18 October 08, 12:13 PM · Comments (11)
Xavi Hernandez has joined Gudjohnsen and Pedro on the injured list and will miss tomorrow evening's game at San Mames (kick off 7pm). Xavi's injury is nothing serious and he should be fine for Wednesday's Champions League game at Basle. Alexandr Hleb is fit again and returns to the squad, and there are also places for Sylvinho and Victor Sanchez. Leo Messi is also in the squad but the local press think he may start on the bench after playing two games for Argentina this week.
Athletic have not had a good start to the season and have only managed five points in six games, they sit 15th in the table and lost their last home game 0-1 to Getafe. Fernando Llorente is the main dangerman for Athletic, scoring ten goals last season. I think we will also have to watch Markel Susaeta who was very impressive in last season's match at Camp Nou, and Yeste is another I like. I'm sure most culés are confident of a win but we should remember Barça have only won 20 times in 77 league games in Bilbao. Last season we drew 1-1 when a Lilian Thuram own goal ten minutes from the end neutralized Bojan Krkic's first half opener (Click here to read full report).
With Xavi and Gudjohnsen out Pep Guardiola will have to reorganise the midfield. There could be places for both Sergio Busquets and Toure Yaya, while Iniesta could move back into midfield to add some creativity, or Hleb or Keita could also be used. It's probably more likely Hleb will be used in attack if Messi is rested (personally I think Messi should play and be rested, if he needs it, against Basle), Eto'o should start in the middle with Henry on the left, unless Guardiola decides to surprise us all and give Bojan Krkic his first league start of the season. The only doubt at the back is whether Gerard Piqué or Rafa Marquez partner Carles Puyol in central defence.
With Real Madrid playing tonight, Barça will know at kick off whether we can gain a points advantage over our arch rivals or whether we will need the victory to keep pace with them.
Barça's squad for the game: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Piqué, Marquez, Puyol, Victor Sanchez, Abidal, Sylvinho, Toure, Busquets, Keita, Hleb, Iniesta, Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry.
Possible XI: Valdés; Alves, Marquez, Puyol, Abidal; Toure, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Eto'o, Henry.
My Prediction: Athletic 1 Barça 3.
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ARGH!!
What a ****ing idiot tha Heitinga!! Why did he have to foul that donkey Drenthe 
Madrid were 10 seconds away from losing two points!! What is wrong with Athletico, they were drawing 1-1 with the champions with 10 men, why didnt they accept the draw and be happy. Pressure is on Barca again but hey we would need to win at Bilbao anyway regardless.
If Messi is rested, then go for 4-4-2 like tupacbarca suggests:
----------------------Valdes----------------------
----------------Puyol------Marquez------------
----Alves-------------------------------Abidal--
-------------Sergio B.(Keita)-Toure----------
-----Hleb(Messi)------------------Iniesta-----
-----------------Eto'o------Henry--------------
Prediction: 0-2
Barca 4 Bilbao 1
2-0 barca...alves and etoo!
clean sheet possible? hope so...3-0 barca
i rate the red shorts in the photo!
11 Comments · Add yours
------------------------------------------Valdes--------------------------------------
--------------------------------Puyol-------------Marquez(Pique)----------------
-----Alves----------------------------------------------------------------Abidal----
------------------------------Busquets(Keita)------Y.Toure----------------------
-----------Hleb(Messi)------------------------------------------Iniesta------------
----------------------------------Eto'o---------Henry------------------------------
My Prediction: Athletic 1 Barça 4
----------------------Valdes----------------------
----------------Puyol------Marquez------------
----Alves-------------------------------Abidal--
-------------Sergio B.(Keita)-Toure----------
-----Hleb(Messi)------------------Iniesta-----
-----------------Eto'o------Henry--------------