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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona: Draw to second



uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Barcelona bossed the first half in Bilbao, but the home side lit up the San Mames with a second-half rally that earned a point.

Barca weathered an early storm before asserting and Lionel Messi and Xavi were guilty of missing good chances. Messi was lucky to still be on the field, having narrowly avoided serious injury when being caught with a very high boot from Fernando Amorebieta.

Athletic should arguably have been ahead at the interval, as Javi Martinez planted a header wide right on half time when it looked impossible to miss.

Xavi is creator-in-chief for Barca and he showed all his quality with an exquisite pass for the marauding Daniel Alves when under pressure and the Brazilian took full advantage with a fine finish from eight yards.

Bilbao made an attacking change, throwing on Gaizka Toquero, and it paid off as he latched on to a flick-on from Llorente before slamming his shot past Victor Valdes.

Barcelona cede top spot to Real, who are now one point ahead of their rivals ahead of next week's Clasico.