Barcelona 1 - Athletic Bilbao 2

Barcelona: Bonano; Puyol, Andersson, Frank De Boer, Coco; Gabri, Xavi, Rochemback (Rivaldo 56'); Kluivert; Saviola (Gerard 84'), Overmars. 4-3-1-2.
Bilbao: Lafuente; Javi González, Oscar Vales, Lacruz, Felipe; Orbaiz, Alkiza; Joseba Etxeberria (Ezquerro 70'), Tiko, Yeste (Carlos García 62'); Urzaiz (Murillo 77'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Barcelona: Gabri, Rochemback for Luis Enrique, Cocu / Bilbao: Felipe for Larrainzar.

Goals:
0-1. 10. Urzaiz. Glancing header in off post from Yeste free kick.
1-1. 60. Rivaldo. First time volley after Kluivert headed on Andersson pass.
1-2. 81. Ezquerro. Ran on to long pass to beat Andersson and score.

Barcelona were brought down to earth after their Champions League victory over Liverpool, losing at home to Athletic Bilbao. On paper this should have been an easy fixture for the home side, having recorded seven victories in a row including a 7-0 victory a year ago with all the goals coming in the first half. However this was a different Bilbao side, Jupp Heynckes having turned their form around, especially away from home where they have the best record in the league. Curiously Heynckes was in charge of the Lions eight years ago when they last won in the Nou Camp, and they repeated the act once again to move up to the top spots in the table.

Barcelona came out full of confidence after their midweek win, although they were missing the suspended Luis Enrique and Cocu (Luis Enrique wouldn't have played anyway, as he picked up a hamstring injury at Anfield which will keep him out to the new year). Rivaldo was suffering from a cold and started on the bench, which meant that Saviola and Overmars lead the attack. The visitors took the lead though in the tenth minute when Urzaiz headed Yeste's free kick wide of Bonano for his sixth of the season, and with Xavi marked out of the game by Tiko the passes were not flowing as well as they did midweek. Lafuente saved twice from Saviola and Gabri put a good chance over the bar, but with his team still behind Rexach was forced to bring on Rivaldo soon after the break.

In less than five minutes the Brazilian star made his mark with a first time volley after Kluivert headed on a long pass by Andersson, and he appeared to have saved the day. The visitors made things worse for themselves when Lacruz got himself sent off for the second time this season, but substitute Ezquerro surprised everyone with a breakaway goal nine minutes from time to put his side back in front. Rexach's reaction was to take off Saviola and put on Gerard, a move which was not popular with the home fans who began to leave in droves. Their team had lost their first league match of the season in the Nou Camp, and pending Sunday's games they will surely lose ground at the end of the weekend. Bilbao omve level with their opponents, and if they can get their act together at home they could once again be playing in Europe next year.