Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, and Andrés Iniesta would be absent from the Spanish Super Cup, but Josep Guardiola wold not be worried as he would line up with a combination of veterans as well as Barca Babies that have been able to prove their worth time and time again.

This formula would not fail him again as the Blaugrana came out on top in the away leg of the first significant match of the 2009-10 Spanish league at San Mamés 2-1.

The match had the same pattern similar to the Copa del Rey final last season. The Basques held on for a good portion of the match as Barca attacked constantly in the early part of the first half. Barca lost a handle of the game as the ball was being held by Athletic Bilbao. There was very little that the homeside could do collectively in order to threaten Victor Valdés. Barca toyed with Ahletic but the dominance did not translate onto the scoredboard. In the 15th minute, a series of touches outside the Bilbao box was capped off by a brilliant shot by Bojan Krkic, but the crossbar would deny him. A few minutes later Gorka Iraizoz would deny Seydou Keita from scoring after he unleashed a laserbeam from 35 meters out. Iraizoz did his best Superman impression and would save the Basque goal.

Los Leones gave their visitors a huge slap in the face in the dying moments of the first half when Oscar de Marcos, who a few moments earlier almost beat Valdés from 35 meters out, was able to get a shot off. The opportunity did not seem clear, but what helped him out was the deflection by Dani Alves that forced the ball to bounce high and over Valdés to open the scoring.

Barca came back onto the pitch at ¨The Cathedral¨ with their usual modus operandi. They took control and in the 55th minute Seydou Keita was able to get the ball in and across the box to Pedro. The Barca youngster controlled the ball and had the presence of mind to spot Xavi in the middle and the Spanish international smacked the ball past an inspired Iraizoz.

Barca continued to pressure and they would cash in with that same partnership. In the 67th minute, roles would be reversed and this time Xavi would feed Pedro. The youngster found a space from about 20 meters out and his rocket shot would give Barca the eventual game-winner.

The game after that was academic. Some important opportunities on behalf of the visitors could have expanded the lead. Dani Alves took yet another shot from outside and had Iraizoz beat, but the ball stayed up a touch too long and it rocked the crossbar. The Brazilian international then became the crowd´s number one enemy after a series of clashes and challenges against Bilbao players.

After this performance, the Blaugrana find themselves in prime postion to win the fourth title in the Guardiola era. Barcelona will host Athletic at the Nou Camp next Sunday in the return leg of this cup.