Athletic Bilbao 1 - Barcelona 1

Athletic: Aranzubia; Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Ustaritz, Koikili; Javi Martínez (Llorente 68'), Orbaiz; Susaeta (Garmendia 46'), Yeste, David López; Aduríz (Aitor Ramos 46'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Sylvinho; Iniesta, Xavi (Edmilson 62'), Deco; Messi, Bojan (Gudjohnsen 79'), Henry. 4-3-3.

Team changes: Athletic: Ustaritz for Amorebieta / Barça: Thuram, Xavi, Messi for Milito, Gudjohnsen, Giovani.

Goals:
0-1. 35. Bojan. Picked up pass from Deco and struck low shot past Aranzubia.
1-1. 79. Llorente. Got ahead of Thuram to turn Aitor Ramos cross past Valdés.

Barcelona dropped two more points on leaders Real Madrid after drawing 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao, and they ended the weekend nine points behind their rivals. Messi returned to the starting line up and had an early shot saved by Aranzubia, with Orbaiz testing Valdés at the other end and Aduriz putting an easy chance over the bar. With ten minutes to go to the break though Messi chased a long ball into the area, and Aranzubia could only clear as far as Deco who set up Bojan to score.

The visitors began the second half well, Henry shooting just wide and Deco firing another effort over the top. Valdés had to save from Javi Martínez, but Puyol and Messi could both have scored soon afterwards. However with ten minutes to go Llorente finally got on the end of an Aitor Ramos cross to turn the ball past the keeper with a little help from Thuram and save a draw for his side. The result keeps Athletic a point above the drop zone.