Barcelona 2 - Athletic Bilbao 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Belletti, Oleguer, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Márquez (Albertini 66'), Deco (Iniesta 66'); Giuly, Eto'o (Maxi López 78'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Murillo, Lacruz, Luis Prieto, Del Horno; Iraola, Gurpegui (Tiko 62'), Orbaiz, Javi González (Llorente 46'); Etxeberría (Julen Guerrero 80'), Ezquerro. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barcelona: Giuly for Iniesta / Athletic: Murillo, Del Horno for Casas, Urzaiz.

Goals:
1-0. 20. Deco. Long shot at goal which Luis Prieto deflected past Aranzubia.
2-0. 38. Giuly. Picked up Ronaldinho pass and bent shot wide of keeper.

Barcelona bounced back from their midweek Champions' League defeat at Chelsea with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening. Despite the defeat in London, Rijkaard put out a similar side, with Márquez and Giuly returning after injury. And after a brief period of pressure from the Basque side the Catalans took control, Eto'o missing the easiest of chances and Giuly failing to connect cleanly after the striker recovered quickly enough to play the ball back to him.

Barça did take the lead a few minutes later though, Deco's long shot not appearing to be a problem for Aranzubía before it deflected off Luis Prieto's boot past the surprised keeper. And Xavi and Deco both had pots after that before Ronaldinho ran through and slid the ball out for Giuly to bend a shot past the visiting keeper.

Valverde was clearly missing the injured Yeste, but in his absence the coach brought on Tiko and Llorente at the break. For a few minutes they got back in the game, Etxeberría in particular testing Valdés a couple of times and Llorente heading just wide. But otherwise the home side were never really under threat, and Giuly, Ronaldinho and Maxi López could all have added to the lead later on. The win takes Barcelona eleven points clear of second placed Real Madrid pending their game on Sunday.