Copa del Rey: Athletic Club vs. Barcelona – Half Time Report
Spanish Champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078 were to face Athletic Club in an away fixture of the Copa del Rey today. The home fixture that the Catalans played against the mid-table Spanish La Liga side ended in a dead lock, as both teams settled
for a goalless draw. Josep Guardiola played a very young team during the first leg; however, he did not take any chances while going away to Bilbao and took his best men to face the “tough” opposition this time around. While being away to Bilbao’s home ground
San Mames, Barcelona won the game 4-1 and they were now going to try to repeat that victory in the Spanish Cup game.
Josep Guardiola did not play his full first team; however, he played all the important players. The Barcelona number 1 Victor Valdes was rested as Jose http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 took his position between the two poles. The first team’s captain Carles
Puyol was also rested as the Frenchman Eric Abidal took his position as centre back. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique finally returned to play for the Catalans and he played alongside Eric Abidal in the centre half. On the right flank, it was the Brazilian full back Daniel Alves
while on the left flank, the Brazilian full back Adriano was played.
The midfield consisted of first team players and only the Spanish maestro Andres Iniesta missed out in the first team. Xavi Hernandez partnered the young http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Seydou-Keita-c33177 stood in the heart
of the midfield. Up front, it was Lionel Messi along with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629 and Pedro Rodriguez.
On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Athletic-Club-c38535 played their first team. Joaquin Caparros did not want to take any chances against the tough Barcelona side and even though he managed to come away from the Nou Camp with a goalless draw, he wanted
to win the home leg to qualify for the next round of the Copa del Rey. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martinez-c24468 took his favourite
centre midfield position along with Gurpegui and Susaeta. Up front, the three strikers were played. As http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Igor-Gabilondo-c16699.
The game started at a very slow pace with the Spanish Champions trying their best to play the ball to themselves. Barcelona kept most of the possession throughout the first half as they tried to penetrate Athletic Club’s defensive
walls. Even though the three first team strikers http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez were played, it was simply hard for them to find the back of the net and the first half also ended in a dead lock.
On the other hand, the home team tried their best to play counter attacking football. With a 4-3-3 formation being played by Athletic Club, the mid-table Spanish La Liga side tried to counter attack, as Fernando Llorente remained
up front to find the back of the net for his team.
La Blaugrana were frustrated by the home team throughout the first half. However, there was good news for the Barcelona fans. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ibrahim-Afellay-c16547 and Andres Iniesta, both, are currently sitting on the bench. The newly signed Dutch
star might feature in the game during the second half. Moreover, Lionel Messi has returned after a long break and that “long” break has helped him freshen up his tired legs. The Argentinean was seen running throughout the game as he continuously posed a threat
to Bilbao’s defensive walls.
Are Barcelona going to win it yet again in San Mames? It definitely is a memorable place for the weekend hero of Barcelona, Pedro Rodriguez, who scored his first goal in this ground. However, there are still 45 minutes to go and
with both teams accomplishing their goals in the first half, anything can happen in the upcoming second half.
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