Bojan Kric scores twice as Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao• Lionel Messi scores as Barcelona rout Bilbao

Bojan Kric scores twice as Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao

• Lionel Messi scores as Barcelona rout Bilbao
• Barcelona rest players ahead of Arsenal clash
Bojan Kric scores twice as Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao• Lionel Messi scores as Barcelona rout Bilbao
• Barcelona rest players ahead of Arsenal clash

Bojan Kric scored twice as an under-strength Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 to go top of the Spanish league.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola rested several regulars ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal, but it made no difference to the result.

Barcelona's Jeffren Suarez opened the scoring in the 25th minute, side-footing in Eric Abidal's pass at the far post. Krkic then scored either side of half time before Lionel Messi put the game beyond any doubt. The 67th minute strike was Messi's first goal in four games.

The Guardian

Athletic's Markel Susaeta scored a late consolation for Bilbao in the 77th minute. Second place Real Madrid have a chance to close the gap on Barcelona when they play Racing Santander on Sunday.