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Barca dealing with H1N1 before Bilbao trip

Fri 20th, November 2009

Bilbao, Spain (Sports Network) - Barcelona's Eric Abidal and Yaya Toure have both been diagnosed with the H1N1 flu virus, and will miss Saturday's trip to Athletic Bilbao in Spain's La Liga.

Barcelona sits atop La Liga but the loss of Abidal and Toure, compounded by a thigh injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has stripped the club of three options.

Barca manager Pep Guardiola admitted he's concerned about the flu, especially with a match against Inter Milan on Tuesday followed by the La Liga clash with Real Madrid on Nov. 29.

"We cannot say any more," Guardiola said about the swine flu. "It could happen and it has happened.

"We know that many people have had it and now it has reached us and we have to ensure that it does not spread and that we can isolate it.

"It is always bad when things like this happen. We have some important games coming up, but we know that the other players will give everything."

Although Guardiola was worried about the possible long-term problems, he would not look ahead to the upcoming matches that could help shape the season.

"What worries me most is Athletic. San Mames is San Mames," Guardiola said. "We have to pretend that Inter do not exist and only Athletic Club do."

Barca has won its last five meetings against Athletic, but that just makes the coach believe Bilbao, which is eighth, would like some revenge.

"I see them wanting to avenge that and they have qualities I admire. The act that we have won the last few matches though means nothing and we will show them the utmost respect in this match," Guardiola said.

Barcelona has just a one-point edge on Real, which plays Racing on Saturday, but Guardiola is not worried about having the La Liga lead entering the clash with Madrid next weekend.

"I do not give any importance to us going into the match [against Madrid] as leaders," he said. "It would be good because it would mean that we have won in Bilbao, but the league will not be decided."

Also Saturday, Deportivo hosts Atletico Madrid and Tenerife hosts Sevilla.

On Sunday, Villarreal hosts Valladolid, Espanyol hosts Getafe, Malaga hosts Real Zaragoza, Mallorca hosts Almeria, Xerez hosts Sporting Gijon and Osasuna hosts Valencia.