FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.08.2009 16:14

Three out of three against Athletic Club

Berta Brau

FC Barcelona have reason to be confident ahead of the Spanish Super Cup games against Athletic Club de Bilbao as the teams met three times last season in all competitions and Pep Guardiola's side were victorious on each occasion.

Having played in the league in San Mamés and in Camp Nou, the two teams met in Mestalla in the Copa del Rey final and in each game the outcome was the same as Barça secured the win.

One goal enough

The first meeting of the 2008-09 campaign came on the seventh weekend of the season with the Basque Country outfit looking to employ their direct style of football on thei opponents and reach Víctor Valdés' goal. But Barça stuck to their beliefs and managed to take all three points thanks to a solitary goal from Samuel Eto'o after a great move by Thierry Henry.

Second league win

In the New Year, the teams met again in Camp Nou and FC Barcelona won 2-0. Despite the visitors starting strongly with their aerial play, Xavi Hernández put the hosts ahead before Lionel Messi netted from the penalty spot to double the advantage. The win was Barça's first in five games and gave the team a lift that saw them through until the end of the season.

Third win and first trophy

In Mestalla, Barça and Athletic met in the Copa del Rey final and the first trophy on offer was emphatically won by the Blaugrana. Again the Basque Country side started well and went ahead when Giazka Toquero scored, but the Catalan side bounced back as Touré Yaya equalised and Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi all scored. The win gave Barça their 25th triumph in the tournament , taking them one ahead of Athletic.