Match Report: Barcelona 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Last night's result is frustrating for alot of reasons. For one thing, it's pushed us back to second place behind Real Madrid. If that in itself isn't bad enough, what it means certainly is: that the team have no breathing space from now on. Next Liga match is the Classico and we can afford nothing less than a win... and as our injured list grows, that's not looking as simple as it was the last time we met Real.

And what gets us the most is that this draw really shouldn't have been a draw. Because we had possession, we had domination, particularly in the first half, and we had the chances. Numerous and great ones. The most frustrating thing is how many of those chances failed to be converted into goals when they should have been.

The first half was all Barca, with Messi and Pedro leading the attack and looking rather threatening. But threat never developed into actual damage as no one could seem to find the back of the net, despite the ample chances to do so. And so it went on until the whistle blew for half-time, and as the players drift off the pitch we're thinking that a goal must come soon.

The players drift back onto the pitch, and we're thinking that it's not long before we want to see some substitutions. Like, get Henry in there and replace Iniesta, or move him back to midfield. He'd be much more effective in midfield, rather than make those aimless runs on the left wing that more often than not end up in his losing the ball. We have been missing Henry.

We don't see an early second half substitution. Well, the boys are still dominating. But Atheltic are starting to put up something of a fight, the play is getting broken up, the match is looking as frustrating as ever. Then bam - Dani scores. And we can breathe again.

So we're feeling glad that the team's finally leading, and now we're on the lookout for the second. But our goal spurs Athletic's manager to get on with the substitutions and as Toquero comes on, his team sparks to life. Minutes pass and he has scored. And the frustration returns.

There's not much time left on the clock and we're nervous at the thought of this match ending in a draw and what that would mean. We're desperate for another goal, but perhaps moreso than the boys. Atheltic are taking over, Pep doesn't look like he's going to substitute any time soon, and there's nothing to do but watch and wait.

Fifteen minutes left and Pep decides to take off Messi for Bojan. Right. Five minutes pass, and it finally occurs to him to put on Henry - for Xavi. Might we suggest it would have been better to replace Iniesta?

There's not much to be done with ten minutes left; the substitutions would have been much more effective earlier on. The last stages of the match saw Barca trying hard for a goal, with a great chance or two, but again, chances weren't put away. Final whistle, and it's a draw. Gah. We don't believe there's any Blaugrana fan out there satisfied with this result - we know we aren't.