To be or not to be ? That is the question for Barcelona tonight.


Match Preview: Sunday 2/09/2007 19:00 (GMT +1), La Liga, Match Day 2

FC BARCELONA - ATHLETIC BILBAO
Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Capacity : 98,772
Referee:


Probable Line-up:


FC Barcelona (4-3-3) :Valdes, Zambrotta, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Iniesta, Touré, Deco, Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho.

Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Athletic Bilbao (4-4-2) :Iraizoz, Amorebieta, Exposito, Murillo, Del Horno, J. Martinez, Tiko, David Lopez, Munoz, Cuellar, Aduri
Manager: Joaquin Caparros


Match Preview:

FC Barcelona will come out smoking and red-hot with rage after a disappointing end of the last Liga season seemed to have been carried over with a goalless draw against Racing Santander in the season's first match. The star-studded squad will be eager to change this notion, and the only opportunity the Blaugrana have to do this leaves Athletic Bilbao as their sparring partner. However, caution must be adopted as the boys from Bilbao won't want to sit and get thrashed without building high towers around their defence, a la Santander.


Bilbao will come out strongly at the beginning of the match, in a bid to show Barca they are no push overs, and to avoid conceding numerous goals in the early minutes. After the first ten minutes, Athletic are expected to recline toward their midfield and defence area, having seemingly contained Barca, if at all they will. Athletic Bilbao will launch occassional attacks afterwards.


Under new coach Joaquin Caparros Athletic have been unbeaten and several new signings have strengthened the squad. Athletic also began their league campaign with a 0-0 draw, at home to Osasuna, a simliar scoreline which Barca started with against Santander. Athletic will be without several key players going into this fixture. Joseba Etxeberria, Joseba Garmedia, Luis Prieto and Fran Yeste are all injured while Aitor Ocio will be suspended after his sending off against Osasuna. 18 year old Javi Martinez may be the young shoulder son which many repsonsibilites will be placed on today, as the former Osasuna player is showing lots of great potential.


My Prediction:
The impressive record of the new coach may not be sufficient to see them come out clean in Camp Nou today. Not only will the anger from the Santander match be a motivating factor for Barca, the unconditional demand for a win from Barca fans will be too much pressure for Athletic to stand. I forsee


FC Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao 5-0