Barça build Super Cup advantage

Barça build Super Cup advantage

A second-half revival put FC Barcelona on course for further honours as the European champions triumphed 2-1 at Athletic Club Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
Comeback victory

The Catalan giants overcame Athletic 4-1 in the Copa del Rey final on their route to a historic treble in May and, as in that game, they were forced to come back from behind to claim victory. Óscar De Marcos put the home side ahead with a deflected effort just before half-time, but Josep Guardiola's side turned the match around via goals from Xavi Hernández and Pedro Rodríguez and will look to press home their lead at the Camp Nou next Sunday.
Bright start

Barça began with attacking intentions despite a lineup lacking Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and Zlatan Ibrahimović, and with just four minutes on the clock they found the woodwork through Bojan Krkić. It took Athletic until the closing stages of the first half to carve anything resembling an opening, with Aitor Ocio volleying over and De Marcos having a shot saved, but it was the latter player who made the first breakthrough a minute before the interval, Carles Puyol diverting his strike beyond an already committed Víctor Valdés.
Alves chance

The second half was a different matter, however, and the visitors pulled level close to the hour mark as Xavi put the finishing touch to a fine move with a curled effort inside the near post after Pedro had squared the ball. The duo combined for Barça's second goal as well, Xavi the provider this time and his colleague striding forward before unleashing a fierce effort. Daniel Alves then had a shot tipped on to the crossbar as the UEFA Champions League holders looked to increase their advantage ahead of the second leg.
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