Football United

Barça coach Frank Rijkaard lost Juliano Belletti to injury just before the match, and was forced to hand Damiá Abella his Primera División debut. The 22 year old was straight into the thick of the action, supplying a looping centre that landed at the feet of Samuel Eto'o to slot past Dani Aranzubia with 12 minutes gone. But Athletic showed that they were not prepared to surrender and levelled three minutes later when Asier Del Horno’s throw-in was flicked on to Francisco Yeste, who scored with a stunning volley from a tight angle.

Gurpegi sent off
There was no let up from either side during the remainder of the game even if no goals were to follow. Deco and Xavi Hernández were both denied by the woodwork then Athletic lost Carlos Gurpegi to a second bookable offence with ten minutes to go.

ATHLETIC: Aranzubia; Iraola, Prieto, Murillo, Del Horno; Orbaiz, Gurpegui; Etxeberria (Felipe, 84'), Yeste, Ezquerro (Arriaga, 59'); Urzaiz (Azkorra, 73')

BARCELONA: Valdés; Damiá, Puyol, Oleguer, Van Bronckhorst; Márquez, Deco (Iniesta, 46'), Xabi; Giuly (Larsson, 61'), Eto'o Ronaldinho

GOALS: 0-1, Eto'o (11'); 1-1, Yeste (14')

Source: uefa.com; marca.com