FC Barcelona - Athletic Club

Athletic Club lost 3-0 against Barcelona. The local goals were the work of Messi (2, one from a penalty) and Bojan, all in the second half and they reflected the local’s superiority in the second leg match, especially after the break, as the first half ended goalless.

Curiously, a well-organized Athletic kept their goal danger-free for the first few minutes of the match and Orbaiz had the first and only opportunity with a distant free-kick. It was the minute 21 and Athletic was doing half their work well, but little by little the blaugrana roller prevailed.

The attempts were more frequent. First in a strategy play that Henry barely headed wide in the minute 23 and in the ones that followed Gorka Iraizoz did a remarkable job. In the minute 25, he deflected a shot by Messi, in the 26 Xavi finished off a back pass from Henry off-target, Keita was unable to make contact with the ball in the 33 and three minutes later Gorka parried off a shot by Piqué, as well as a clear occasion by Ibrahimovic in the 39. In the 40th a shot by Keita with all the prospects of inaugurating the scoreboard stumbled upon Yaya Touré, that enormous player who in addition has as a mission in this sport to protest absolutely everything. To finish off the first half Iraizoz saved a free-kick by Ibrahimovic.

To start the second half Ion Vélez replaced De Cerio, who was making his debut in an official match. At the same time, the uncertainty of the scoreboard, which kept Athletic alive with mathematical probabilities at least until the hour of game soon dissipated since this time Messi was able to overtake Iraizoz in the one-on-one when he took advantage of a pass from Ibrahimovic after Ustaritz lost the ball in an exposed area.

Barça’s monologue was not interrupted, first with a cross by Ibrahimovic then a shot on goal by Xavi that was sent for a corner after, apparently, hitting Ustaritz on the hand and Puyol headed to the post after the corner was taken. By that time, Athletic had already used up the three substitutions with Toquero coming in for Etxeberria and Iturraspe replacing David Lopez. The readjustments didn’t mean much, since soon after a non-existent penalty by Ustaritz on Alves, even though the play continued and Ibrahimovic had scored, meant the 2-0, also the work of Messi.

If that weren’t enough, recently incorporated Bojan (in for Ibrahimovic in the minute 70) soon received an unexpected welcome gift which he seized to score the 3-0. Certainly, if it wasn’t before, the match was over by the minute 72; even though in the final stretch many things were excessive. For example, our team’s lack of tension at certain times; Valdés’ blow to Toquero in the minute 78, which is known as a free aggression; the crowd’s stance or at least coming from them with insults to Gurpegi, olés and the like, when even prize idiots know that the days of wine and roses always, and for everyone, have an expiration date. Finally, some harsh tackles on the part of our players were excessive, perhaps because they as much as their rivals don’t know how fine and slippery the line that delimits good game and lack of respect for the opponent really is.

Once again congratulations to FC Barcelona and for our part there’s nothing left other than to rearm and think about next Thursday’s important match against Tromsø before starting the Liga on Sunday against Espanyol. That is what’s strange about this August, for the good and the bad.