CHAPTER 211: Athletic Bilbao (0) - Barcelona (1) [analysis]

Alternative title: Eto’o +1, Barça +3

Positives

• Another win, three more points gained.
• The winning streak continues. It’s now 5 wins in row in la Liga and the 7th straight win in all competitions.
• Considering that this was a game after the international break, and furthermore without main man Messi not playing during the entire 90 minutes and with the brain Xavi missing, and also adding the fact that Barcelona was playing away at San Mames, it can be considered a good victory obtained.
• This has to be Victor Valdes’ best game for Barcelona so far this season (and also for a long time). Made two excellent saves from the two Bilbao freekicks early on in the first half. Looks most composed this season so far based on this game.
• Another BIG positive point to add is that finally the team managed a clean sheet (big props to Valdes, and also the defence).
• It’s the first game since the game against Wislaw Krakow at Camp Nou that Barcelona played a game without conceding a goal. And further adding to the fact that the team managed this feat away from home and also the fact that it was a ground that Barcelona had been conceding goals from previous seasons hence all bringing to a positive point.
• Great goal by Samuel Eto’o, with an even more impressive assist (more specifically the buildup and holdup of the ball) from Henry.
• Pique I thought was excellent in defence.
• This was a great game as well from Yaya, who I thought excelled in his role. And adding Keita’s and Gudjohnsen’s injuries, this will be a big opportunity for Yaya to stamp a place in that 3-man Barcelona midfield.
• Victor Sanchez.
• I’m split between putting him either as a positive or a negative, as on a negative point of view, I felt that he gave some sloppy passes during the game (some that would had been crucial). However, overall I would deemed him a positive. This was his debut, and I found him very industrious in the game, always running and chasing the ball when Bilbao players had it, and he ended up playing the full 90 minutes (perhaps things would have been different had Keita not got injured). Also that he played his full debuted game at a place like San Mames, these facts all bring a positive for him.
• Throughout the game, in general Barcelona weathered Bilbao’s attack, and had good control and possession when they had the ball. And Barcelona calmly played right until the end.
• I think a lil bit of luck was there as well in this game.

Negatives

• Seydou Keita’s injury. We lose another player for some period of time.
• Eto’o missing that chance he had late in the second half. That was a great chance (and even Hleb was coming for it behind Eto’o with an even better positioning) missed, and the Cameroonian should definitely have done better and buried it at the back of the net. It would have sealed the deal and ended the game quicker.
• Instead, the remaining 8, 9 or 10 minutes or so became anxious teeth grinding session.
• Regarding overall play, Barça did less to score than in the previous game against Atletico Madrid. And not much superb chances as well.