What do you call a Barcelona vs (Athletic) Bilbao?

One of the most entertaing matches of La Liga will shortly be kicking off, Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou!

Although this encounter does not embrace the same conflict, emotion and hype which revolves around an El Clásico, the quality of the 90 minutes will certainly be played at an equal standard, if not higher. Tonight two coaching masterminds go head to head, Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine who has been producing wonders for Bilbao, is an avid admirer of the Barcelona manager and is constantly speculated to inherit his throne in the future. Victory tonight won’t only prove that point, but will dramatically dent Barcelona’s title hopes where Guardiola aims to equal Cruyff’s record of winning the La Liga for 4 consecutive seasons.

The two visionaries are enjoying successful campaigns where both sides are favourites to win in Europe and will be clashing at the Copa del Rey final. As always they will be fielding players of boundless talent; we’re overly familiar the names on the back of the Blaugrana jerseys, but what about the red and white striped shirts? Bielsa’s Bilbao is receiving the grand praise it rightfully has displayed on the field where players such as Llorente, Martinez, Muniain, Susaeta and De Marcos have been consistent pillars and stars. Interestingly, ALL the players carry Basque roots and the majority are academy products where they’ve been menacing in the Europa League, a trophy which they have all the potential to lift in Bucharest.

Tonight is about this match, where teamwork, “tiki-taka”, flair, skill, and intelligence will be combined into 90 minutes of magic (and Messi magic). But what should this encounter be called? “La batalla de la autonomía”,  “el clásico de las canteras” or “súper total fútbol”.

Or what about… “El Cante-Clásico”? [posted by Dominic Vieira]