Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao Preview

By: Isaiah | August 31st, 2007

I know I didn’t do a proper review of the Gamper Cup game, so here is a mini-review before the larger, more thorough preview of Sunday’s home opener against Bilbao. In what amounted to a game against Inter’s B squad (or was it C? whichever, their away unis look like Crusader gear), Barca walloped their opponents 5-0 (3-0 at half), including goals by Toure and Motta, of all people. [By the way, Motta's transfer to Atlético is now official, but no word on the price other than random speculation about €2million up to €2.5m]* Deco started, which was cool. I caught the second half and enjoyed watching Barcelona dominate completely, to where Adriano looked like he was out there as a lone striker with 5 defenders behind him booting the ball long to where starters Marquez and Oleguer would get in the way. Wait, did I say starters Marquez and Oleguer? Oh jeez. Let’s hope Milito gets the start this weekend…Here is a video of the game, in Arabic. Anyone know what “Hashu Barca” means?

On to Athletic, after the jump:

Despite having finished 4th from the bottom last year, only one point from relegation, this year’s Athletic team seems, on paper at least, ready to continue its run in the top flight without too many worries. They have beefed up their defence with several decent transfers, including Aitor Ocio from Sevilla and and Asier Del Horno on loan from Valencia.

All of the transfer moves Athletic made:

IN
David López (Osasuna)
Muñoz (Osasuna)
Aitor Ocio (Sevilla)
David Cuéllar (Nàstic)
Gorka (Espanyol)
Del Horno (Valencia)

OUT
Urzáiz (Ajax)
Javi González (Hércules)
Iturriaga (Salamanca)
Lafuente (Espanyol)

Losing Ismael Urzaiz was probably their biggest blow, but in the end not too bad an offseason for them if that’s their biggest lost. He should easily be replaced by the rest of Athletic’s strike force (Exteberria and Llorente). He is 35, after all. Ion Vélez seems to exist as well, having played against Osasuna, but what he can do is unknown to me as he has only made that one appearance in a first division league. He’s 22 and he’s played in the Segunda B as well as the Tercera divisions with Athletic B, Barakaldo, Baskonia, and Peña Sport. So…unknow quantity right there.

Athletic drew with Osasuna 0-0 last Sunday, putting them even on all fronts with Barcelona

I’m just going to admit right here I have no idea who will start for Athletic. I assume the same 11 as last Sunday, with the exception of Ocio, who received a red card, so he’s suspended. But other than that, I’m not even sure it matters since no one except Llorente is more than mediocre (sorry Athletic fans, but it’s true).

To Barcelona:

With Eto’o out there seems little doubt that Henry will start, but nothing is for sure in this ever-changing world. I doubt Rijkaard hands Giovani his first start, which is why Henry will have to start. I assume that Gio will sub on in the second half for either Messi or Henry if things are going well score-wise. If they’re not, he might come on for Toure or Xavi. Either way, I think he’ll make a debut as a sub (70th minute or so).

I’ll post the starting 11 once it’s listed on Barca’s site, but this is my guess:

Valdes
Zambrotta, Thuram, Milito, Abidal
Toure
Xavi, Deco
Messi, Ronaldinho
Henry

(remember, I’ll edit this when the official squad listing comes out…or hopefully I will; it’s Labor Day weekend and my brother is coming to visit, so I’m going to be busy going out with him and some friends, so maybe I won’t update it. But I’ll try.) Milito should get his first competitive appearance, and Deco should make his way back into the starting squad, but Frankie has surprised us all at one time or another, so keeping Iniesta in the starting bunch wouldn’t be too crazy of him.

*In searching for some articles about the transfer fee for Motta, I came across this. Note who is first. Hilarious. Apparently Marc Crosas is better than Kaká or David Villa…and note that #8 is Marc Valiente. Where do these rankings come from? [I just rechecked it and Crosas is now third and Valiente is off the board. But still, third?]