Athletic Bilbao 1 - Barcelona 1

Athletic: Aranzubia; Iraola, Murillo, Luis Prieto, Del Horno; Gurpegui, Orbaiz; Etxeberría (Felipe 83'), Yeste, Ezquerro (Arriaga 59'); Urzaiz (Azkorra 73'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Damià, Oleguer, Puyol, Gio Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Márquez, Deco (Iniesta 46'); Giuly (Larsson 61'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.

Team changes: Athletic: Iraola, Del Horno, Gurpegui, Ezquerro, Urzaiz for César, Casas, Felipe, Bordas, Azkorra / Barcelona: Damià for Belletti.

Goals:
0-1. 10. Eto'o. Poked shot past keeper after Murillo misjudged Damia cross.
1-1. 13. Yeste. Volley from wide angle after Urzaiz headed on long throw in.

An exciting match at the San Mamés stadium, where leaders Barcelona kept up their unbeaten league record with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao. Frank Rijkaard could only count on 13 fit first team players, and with Belletti joining the ever growing injury list he decided to give a debut to young B team right back Damià. Ernesto Valverde had no such problems though, and he put out his strongest side having rested key players the week before.

Barça were still smarting from their elimination from the Copa del Rey by Gramanet midweek, and they took the lead in the tenth minute when Murillo misjudged a long cross from Damià, allowing Eto'o to collect the ball and beat Aranzubia. Only three minutes later though, Yeste levelled the scores with a spectacular volley after Urzaiz headed on a long throw.

After the goals the game opened up, with Del Horno shooting over the bar after a long Yeste free kick was headed on, and a deflected Deco cross bouncing off the crossbar at the other end just a minute later. The excitement continued into the second half, a brilliant first touch by Yeste taking him past Puyol only for his shot to go wide, and a great passing move between Iraola and Etxeberria ending with the Valdés making a finger tip save from the full back.

The visitors had their chances as well though, Aranzubia blocking an effort from Xavi at point blank range, and Xavi again rattling the crossbar with a long shot. Del Horno also headed another free kick over the bar, but with ten minutes to go Athletic were left with ten men when Gurpegui picked up two bookings in only three minutes, the second for a foul just outside of the area. Ronaldinho was lining up for a free kick at goal, but his concentration was broken by two idiots from Barcelona who ran on the pitch, and his shot went straight into the hands of Aranzubia. In the end though a fair result, and both sides were happy to settle for a point.