Match Report: Saturday 20/05/2006 21:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 38
AC Bilbao - FC Barcelona

San Mamés, Bilbao – attendace: 40.000


Referee: Fernández Borbalán


1 - 0 Eto'o '35
1 - 1 Iraola '56

1 - 2 Felipe '79

1 - 3 Oleguer '82 (o.g)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Jorquera – Belletti , Oleguer, Olmo , Martos, – Pitu, Motta , Ludovic – Ezquerro , Maxi, Eto'o - Manager: Frank Rijkaard






Bilbao(4-4-2): Lafuente - Lacruz, Prieto,

Ustaritz, Casas - Orbaiz, Murillo, Etxeberria, Iraola - Guerrero, Urzaiz (Lorente) - Manager: Javier Clemente


Match Report:


Atletic Bilbao players offered Barcelona the traditional guard of honour in recognition of Barcelona's league and Champions League double.


Barca started with only three of their regular players, Oleguer, Samuel Eto'o and Ludovic Giuly but filled the rest of the squad with some talented youngsters from the Barca B and C team. Despite the disadvantage not being able to field their world cup players, the young Barca team showed a good performance and controlled the match and kept possession for the most of the time. Barca produced two clear goalscoring chances in the first 30 minutes. Maxi López's strike hit the post, while Atletic goalkeeper Lafuente was able to save an Eto'o shot from inside the area with his feet. the consequence of Barca´s domination resulted in Barcelona's lead 10 minutes before halt time. Ludovic initiated a counter attack and passed the ball to Samuel Eto'o who finished with a strong shot from outside the penalty box. this was the 1-0 lead for Barça, and the Pichichi trophy for Eto'o with 26 goals in La Liga only.


Atletic took only 11 minutes in the second have to equal the score through Iraola. Atletic substitute Felipe Guréndez made it 2-1 with eleven minutes left to play. Barca´s Thiago Motta and Julen Guerrero clased in an unfortunate and the match should have been stopped, but Felipe Guréndez shot from long distance and score the second goal for Atletic. Two minutes later, it was unlucky Oleguer Preseas who tried to clear the ball, but put the ball in his own net to make it 3-1 in favour of atletic Bilbao.


The highlight of the match was definetely Samuel Eto'o securing the Pichichi Award for the best goal scorer this season. Barca´s Eto'o scored an amazing 26 goals, even he spent some considerable time at the African Nations Cup this year.


Remarkable also the performance of the Barca youngsters. Young talents Olmo, Orlandi and Ludovic started for Barcelona in Bilbao and impressed with their performances. Jesús Olmo, a young Barca C player looked remarkable composed at centre back on his first team debut. Ludovic played a solid role and assited Samuel Eto'o to score the important goal. Orlandi played very well on the left and caused plenty of danger out there. Unfortunately the youngster had to be replaced by Martos due to injury.


It was a meaningless goal where the reserve players and some youngster got their chance. they did not disappoint and especially for the Barca youngsters it was a great experience and motivation to play in La Liga.


The season is over now. Barca is Spanish Champion and European Cup winner.


FC Barcelona Blog congratulates are people involve and also to all Barca fans around the World. all the best for next season.
Visca el Barca!