Everything is ready for Athletic-Barça. The Blaugrana squad left El Prat Airport at 11.00am CET and arrived in Bilbao at around 12.00pm CET. The delegation was headed by the members of the Board of Directors Sílvio Elías, Josep Ramón Vidal-Abarca and Xavier Vilajoana, as well as the Secretary of the Board of Directors, Jordi Calsamiglia, Deputy Secretary of the Board of Directors, Maria Teixidor, and the Head of Institutional Relations and Sports of the First Team, Guillermo Amor.
It should be remembered that for this match, coach Ernesto Valverde has summoned a total of 19 players including Jordi Alba, returning after his injury, as well as Orioles Busquets and David Costas from Barça B. However, the Barça manager will not be able to count on seven first team players because of injury or illness: Rafinha, Dembélé, Aleix Vidal, Arda, Iniesta, Vermaelen and Mascherano. It’s sure to be a great match between two historic teams, on a day that will be special for Valverde, returning to what was his home for many years.
