FC Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup for the eighth time in their history as they beat Athletic Club 3-0 in Camp Nou on Sunday evening thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Bojan Krkic.
The Blaugrana deserved to win their first trophy of the season as they produced a commanding first-half performance that only lacked a goal, but then more than made up for that with three after the break in a game that saw the visitors have just one attempt all evening.
Despite winning the first leg in San Mamés a week ago 1-2 , Barça stayed true to their philosophy and attacked throughout and created numerous opportunities to win by far more than the scoreline ended up being. Ustaritz was involved in all three goals and the hosts took full advantage and Messi was able to find his scoring boots as was substitute Bojan.
Chances galore
In the opening 15 minutes both teams had chances with Athletic Club having a long-range effort turned over by Víctor Valdés from Pablo Orbaiz, while at the other end Gorka Iraizoz was busy trying to keep the hosts out.
Dominance without goals
Xavi Hernández was instrumental in the middle of the Barça side as he picked up where he left off last term by producing his technique, passing and vision while also pushing up and trying to score himself. Henry and Messi also went close, while Athletic stayed back in numbers and still had problems keeping the ball awya from their keeper. Seydou Keita could well have opened the scoring, but his shot hit Touré Yaya on the way in.
Messi makes the breakthrough
Athletic’s resistance did not last long after the break as Xavi saw his pass touched off to Messi first-time by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Argentinian raced into the area before clipping the ball over the approaching Iraizoz and into the far corner of the net from an acute angle.
Two in five minutes
One goal was not enough to satisfy Barça though and they pushed forward again and again with Puyol heading against the crossbar shortly before Ustaritz tripped Dani Alves in the area and Messi stepped up to slot the spot-kick past the keeper.
Five minutes later, Ustaritz’s evening was made even worse as his short back-pass was intercepted by Bojan and he skipped around Iraizoz and walked the ball into the net. It was a commanding display by the Blaugrana and sent out a message that they are prepared for another season aiming for all the trophies.
PreviewThree months onAugust 23 is just three months after the last celebration at the Camp Nou. That was when Barça faced Osasuna (0-1), and were able to celebrate the league title won the week before. A quarter of year later, there could be further celebrations as the club adds the 2009 Spanish Super Cup to its honours list.
The first finalRoger Bogunyà
The Camp Nou is the venue on Sunday (22.00, TVE and R@dio Barça) for the return leg of the Spanish Super Cup between Barça and Athletic Club. Guardiola will be looking to benefit from the 2-1 win at San Mamés.
It is never too early to win a trophy, not even when we are still in August. The Barça players will have silverware on their minds against Athletic Club, who visit the Camp Nou tonight, and who will be looking to bounce back from home defeat a week ago.
Off to a good start
Both teams have European distractions. Barça have the European Super Cup game against Shakhtar on Friday, while Athletic Club have their Europa League future at stake away to Tromso. But both Guardiola and Caparrós know what a boost for morale it would be to be able to celebrate a title tonight. Both sides are expected to play at full strength.
24 to pick from
The Barça manager has named 24 players for selection, with only the injured Márquez and Iniesta left out. Five reserve team players, Oier, Fontàs, Muniesa, Jonathan and Jeffren, have also been training with the first team this week, and may enter into the definitive squad that Guardiola wont be announcing until shortly before kick off. Fontàs and Jonathan, as well as Maxwell and Ibrahimovic, could all be making their official debuts at the Camp Nou.
Basque problems
But not only have the visitors lost the first leg, but they have such players as Amorebieta, Javi Martínez, Yeste, Susaeta and the goalscorer in the first leg De Marcos all sidelined for the Camp Nou. But this is a final, and so despite their problems, Bilbao can be expected to go for leather for glory.
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Music: Athletic Theme
Messi 2 goals and Bojan 1 goal