Expert's Take:
February 12th
As an Athletic Bilbao fan, I will quickly draw a veil over Sunday's events in the Calderon. Suffice to say Atletico Madrid deserved the points for their second half display, while Torres and Aguero look like a pair that on their day will give anyone problems.
As for Athletic however, had they taken their chances in the first 45 minutes things could have been a lot different. Also no team can continue to play their best with 7 or 8 players out injured every week and at the moment that is their big problem.
Looking ahead then to next weekend and it really is something to look forward to: Valencia - Barcelona. The first meeting (a 1-1 draw) was a thriller in the Camp Nou and this promises to be just as good.
Barcelona have got Messi back and Eto'o made his return a week ago in Pamplona. Those two give an extra dimension to Barca's game and they brushed Racing Santander aside at the weekend.
Their return also seemed to breathe life into Ronaldinho, who scored both goals - the first of which was a stunner.
Eto'o then spoiled things by refusing to go on as a substitute and we shall have to see how that plays out, although I suspect it will turn out to be a storm in a teacup. Valencia meanwhile have won 6 out of their last 8 games and are 4th in the table. They go into the game, however, on the back of a 3-0 defeat in Getafe's game where they could have done better, but which all of a sudden means they simply have to get something from the game to avoid Barca getting away.
A packed Mestalla stadium giving everything to their team, a must win game and arguably two of the best teams in Spain- what more could you ask?
Oh and we will be there in HD See you in Valencia.
PAUL
Valencia vs.
BarcelonaThe live broadcast begins 2 minutes before the game.
