News Archive

Spanish Super Cup, first leg

Athletic 4 - Barcelona 0

A big surprise in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, Athletic Bilbao virtually ensuring their first trophy in over 20 years after thrashing Barcelona 4-0 in the San Mamés stadium. The Basque side were only playing in the competition as the losing cup finalists after their opponents pulled off the triple last season, but they took the lead in the thirteenth minute when San José picked up a Ter Stegen headed clearance in the centre circle and fired the ball back over the head of the stranded keeper. Luis Enrique had made several changes to his line up, particularly in the centre of defence and in midfield, but Messi was still there, and he tested Iraizoz either side of half time with a well-struck free kick, and a shot from the edge of the area. Pedro also rattled the crossbar at the start of the second half, but soon afterwards Aduríz got above his marker to head a cross from youngster Sabin wide of the keeper. With just over an hour on the clock Aduríz got his second of the night after Dani Alves failed to clear a Susaeta centre, and the veteran striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Alves bundled over Etxeita inside the area. Luis Enrique put on a brave face afterwards, telling the press that his team were capable of turning things around in next Monday’s return leg, although it looks like his hopes of matching Pep Guardiola’s “six cups” in a calendar year have come to an end. (14.08.15)