Athletic Bilbao 0 - Barcelona 1

Athletic: Aranzubia; Javi González, Lacruz, Karanka, Larrazábal; Iraola (Urzaiz 60'), Gurpegui, Tiko, Yeste (Jonan García 77'); Etxeberría, Ezquerro (Julen Guerrero 83'). 4-4-2.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Puyol, Reiziger, Cocu, Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Gerard; Quaresma, Ronaldinho, Luis Enrique; Saviola (Overmars 46'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 11. Cocu. Glancing header down past keeper from Van Bronckhorst free kick.

The new Barcelona got off to a winning start with a 0-1 victory at Athletic Bilbao, although they can think themselves lucky that they came away with the three points. Frank Rijkaard included new signing Van Bronckhorst in the starting line up, but there was no place for new keeper Rüstü. Márquez was also missing through injury, and Saviola led the attack as Kluivert was sitting out the first of a two match ban dating back to last season. On the other bench, Ernesto Valverde started his new stint as manager drafting Iraola in for a first game with the first team squad, and leaving Urzaiz and Julen Guerrero on the bench.

Van Bronckhorst's inclusion proved to be providential, as the ex Arsenal player found Cocu with a long free kick for him to glance a header past Aranzubia in the eleventh minute. After that though Athletic should have levelled the scores, Ezquerro volleying wide with only the keeper to beat and Etxeberría beating keeper Víctor Valdés twice, the first time to see his shot cleared off the line by Puyol and the second rolling wide of goal.

Rijkaard surprisingly took off Saviola at the break to bring on Overmars, pushing Ronaldinho forward to join Luis Enrique in attack. But although the Brazilian showed some nice touches, they could not break down a well ordered defence. Bilbao were also not creating chances though, and Valverde finally brought on Urzaiz with an hour on the clock. But he too missed an easy chance near the end, heading wide of goal much to the frustration of the fans.

In the end the three points went back to Barcelona, leaving them in good stead for their next match at home to Sevilla. Right now that is scheduled for kick off for five minutes after midnight on Tuesday night / Wednesday morning, a time set by the Catalans in an attempt to have all their international players present for the game whilst complying (on paper at least) with Sevilla's insistence on not playing within 48 hours of their match on Sunday. It looks like being an interesting season!