Ander Herrera makes Barca wait for title


Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera made Barca wait just a little bit longer to be proclaimed La Liga champions with his 89th minute goal on Saturday at the San Mamés stadium.

Barca’s goals came from Messi in the 68th minute to equalise after Susaeta’s 27th minute opener for Bilbao and Alexis Sánchez, who put the Catalans ahead in the 70th minute before Herrera equalised for the home side to draw 2 apiece.

Bielsa’s team played well and were on the scoreboard first.Barca didn’t have much idea about how to tame the lions of Bilbao and it was only when Argentine Messi came on in the second half for Xavi that things turned around for Vilanova’s men.

Athletic Bilbao took the game seriously and it was only Messi who woke the Catalans up to spur them on.

Looking ahead to this week’s Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich, Tito Vilanova opted to rest Leo Messi and Andres Iniesta on their visit to the Cathedral. That meant that Alexis, Cesc and Pedro had to go on the offensive for Barca – something that they did not succeed in doing.

A single shot from the Chilean was too poor a result from the three attackers and forced Tito to bring on his lethal weapon in the shape of Messi in the second half to turn things around.

Before Messi came on the pitch Atletico had time to get ahead on the scoreboard and make it 1 nil. It is true that Alexis managed to put fear first into the home team, but as the match progressed, it was Ander Herrera who gradually became master of the midfield. The former Real Zaragoza player recovered many balls and spurred many counter attacks for his team, one of which Markel Susaeta found the net with.

Athletic wasn’t happy with just a single goal and came very close to scoring their second of the afternoon. De Marcos put the ball into the heart of the area and Aduriz, who out-jumped Pique smoothly headed the ball powerfully wide just before the half time whistle.

After half time Messi came on and showed that his hamstring injury had been cleared up.Just his presence on the pitch was enough to intimidate Athletic Bilbao and it wasn’t long before he scored the equaliser. He then put the ball through to Alexis who beat Gorka to make it 1-2 to Barca.

Ander Herrera saved Athletic Bilbao in the 89th minute to put the Catalans celebrations on hold for another week. Next stop is Bayern Munich and everyone is hoping for another historic comeback. If it doesn’t happen, the league will still sweeten the disappointment if they fail.

About Aaron

My name's Aaron and I'm a great Barça fan. I like to tell it like it is and if there is something I don't like about the club or something that needs addressing, you'll know!