Match Preview: Sunday 25/02/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 24
FC BARCELONA - ATHLETIC BILBAO

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Vicente Jose Lizondo Cortes


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Oleguer, Thuram, Puyol, Gio (Sylvinho) - Edmilson (Motta), Xavi, Iniesta - Messi, Eto´o (Saviola), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Aranzubia - Exposito, Sarriegi, Amorebieta, Casas - Iraola, Murillo - Javi Martínez, Yeste, Gabilondo - Urzaiz. - Manager: Jose Manuel Esnal Mané


Match Preview:

FC Barcelona (1st/46 points) is playing struggling Athletic Bilbao (17th/ 25 points) tonight at Camp Nou (21:00).


it seems that every week the press finds a new reason, why Barca is not at its best at the moment. Before the Valencia match, it was the row between rijkaard, Eto´o and Ronaldinho, why this week it looks like that the media found out that Ronaldinho is carrying a few pounds too much recently.


As if FC Barcelona would not have their own medical team who is watching the weight of the players and working on it, if there should be any though of concern. Also the fact that Ronaldinho has hit 16 times the La Liga opponents goal this season does not matter.


But what do you expect from the media when the team lost 2 important matches in a row (Valencia and Liverpool) and was not able to win away from Cam Nou since November. You can bet on it, that the Merengue´s papers like Marca and AS, try to take any opportunity to destabilize the Barca team while their own team is in deep crisis.


Like usual, the Barca team is mentally strong enough to brush these annoying reports to the side and have shoed some good performances lately. Looking back to the Racing match at home, the team showed a superb performance, while in Valencia a good show, was not enough, due to indivdual defence errors. The first half against Liverpool (in my opinion showed some fantastic football, but again, invidual errors gave away all 3 points and they just deserved better.


FC Barcelona and coach Rijkaard have now the chance in their own hands to calm down the critics by beating struggling Athletic and add a bit to their worries. A win and 3 points is a must be, while Real already struggled and shared points yesterday with city rival Athletico Madrid and FC Sevilla has got a tough test in Getafe. An ideal moment to get away with a few points and open a margin to Barca´s challengers at the top.


FC Barcelona will be with Samuel Eto'o, who could even start the game. Edmílson also returns after being dropped for the Liverpool game. He or Motta will probably start to anchor the midfield. The rotation goes on, with Santi Ezquerro and Sylvinho included, while Rafa Marquez is rested. Deco and Gianluca Zambrotta are both suspended and Juliano Belletti is injured.


For Athletic Bilbao will probably start Javi Martínez, who will replace Aduriz, as the striker could start on the bench this time.


My Prediction:
FC Barcelona will be out to prove a point tonight. As mentioned before tonight could be a good opportunity to open a margin, if Sevilla drops points.

Despite the Basque´s lowly position, they have won 4 matches away from home. We should not forget, despite not playing in the same convincing style of last year that FC Barcelona is top of the table and has not lost a La Liga match at Camp Nou this season.


There is a reason why Barca is top and Athletic not. If Barca are able to erase the individual defence errors, than R.E.M. (Ronaldinho, Eto´o, Messi) should be able to do the job.


FC Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao 2:0


Visca el Barca!