Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Match Preview
Barcelona are set to take on Athletic Bilbao tonight at the San Mames stadium. The previous meeting between these two clubs saw Barca claim the three points with a 3-1 victory. But tonight’s match will be one of bigger interest as Bilbao havn’t lost at home for a month and a half and will be trying their hardest to stop the Barca players from achieving the win they need.
Another must win game
The Barcelona squad will be going out on the field tonight in search of another victory to maintain their pursuit on the leaders. The gap still remains at seven points but a win at San Mames will mean Madrid have to get a result against Villarreal which won’t be an easy task whatsoever. The game at the Bernabeu will get underway immediately after the full time whistle between Barca and Bibao. The Blaugrana won’t expect their match to be an easy one also as Athletic have built a reputation on the most draws at home. In their last ten matches at home, six of the results were draws with two wins and two losses; things just aren’t going well at the moment for Joaquin Capparos
and his team. If Bilbao can manage a draw tonight against Barca, it won’t be considered as a bad result but it will not really help them as far as their league position is concerned.
Defender in, defender out
We will see a change in the Barcelona defence tonight as Eric Abidal has overcome his leg injury but they are without Rafael Marquez due a left thigh problem. The French international will most definitely be able to face Athletic Bilbao after he made a full recovery following an clash in the Copa del Rey match with Villarreal. Rafael Marquez on the other hand will not have any involvement in the game as he picked up a thigh injury whilst training with the squad. Rijkaard realizes that there is one in and one out and will shuffle the defensive structure to ensure he has the most suited back line for the match.
