5 Great Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona Moments

Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Bilbao has always been one of La Liga's classic fixtures.

Two teams whose often epic battles are almost always played against the backdrop of mutual respect.

Over the years there have been a number of unforgettable moments, including the unsavoury if we remind ourselves of the 1982 clash involving Diego Maradona.

Thankfully incidents of that nature are few and far between.

The high-octane nature of the fixture means that we're never too far from the game spilling over the edge but that's precisely what makes it so enjoyable.

Let's take a look at five great moments from this fixture...

Barcelona would eventually run out 4-1 winners over Athletic Club as Pep Guardiola's side went in search of their unprecedented treble, and then sextuple.

The game itself had all of the ingredients for a classic cup tie but it's perhaps what happened before, during and after the game that marked this out as special.

Fans of both teams mingled happily together in bars and cafe's beforehand, sang together whilst in the stadium and enjoyed each other's company afterwards.

The sight of Barcelona's players holding aloft the Basque Euskadi flag in a sign of mutual respect was one of the standout moments from this game.

It was a fitting send-off.

In his final game as manager of the Blaugrana, Pep Guardiola would win the 14th trophy of his illustrious four-year reign.

Marcelo Bielsa stood between Barca and victory, but Athletic were swept aside within the first half hour.

A brace from Pedro and Lionel Messi's 73rd goal of the season ensured that the game was over by the 25th minute, and the team proceeded to apply the gloss to a comprehensive performance.

Holding aloft the trophy with Eric Abidal's shirt on it, in a sign of solidarity toward the Frenchman was another nice touch.

BBC Sport noted Guardiola's parting shot after the game:

I feel like I left some good things behind. Now I will rest and try in the future a new challenge.

We had a very good year, we won four titles and winning this cup gives them better value.

I'm happy to close out the season this way.

This goal that Lionel Messi scored at the old San Mames was so good that even his team mates couldn't believe it. Check out Cesc Fabregas' reaction at the bottom of the screen.

Just eight minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, Messi went on one of those weaving runs that we have come to know so well.

With Barca trailing, the Argentine took it firmly upon himself to drag Barca back into the match.

Watch the goal again above in all its HD glory. As Ray Hudson commented at the time: "Magisteeerial Lionel"!

Connoisseurs of Spanish football will point to the demolition of the old San Mames as another loss to history of one of the most iconic stadia in La Liga.

Yet who can argue with the beauty and clean lines of its replacement built right next door. Truly one of the great modern stadiums.

Barcelona paid a first visit in December 2013 and were promptly sent packing by Iker Muniain's strike on 70 minutes.

The game itself was notable for the passion and verve that this particular fixture always evokes, and the hosts' victory not only ensured they remained unbeaten in their new home but stopped Barca from scoring for only the second time in 71 league matches per Fraser Masefield of Yahoo/Eurosport.

When Athletic Club visited Camp Nou in September 2014, it was notable for the reason that both teams decided to wear their away strips.

The visitors would wear the colours of the Euskadi Basque flag, whilst Barca would also wear an alternative.

The Catalan Senyera has always stood for independence in the region and it was a huge statement for Barca to have it as an away kit in any event.

With the world watching, and with the blessing of La Liga bosses and Athletic, the Catalans wore the shirt at home for the first time in their 115-year history.

Heath Chesters of Inside Spanish Football noted at the time:

The Barcelona shirt, which will be worn at home on this unique occasion, features “the four bars” in red on yellow of the Catalan national flag, the Senyera.

Athletic Club Bilbao will also be wearing their away kit, with green shirts, white shorts and red socks, which itself represents the Ikurriña, the flag of the Basque Country.

It will be a very proud moment not only for both clubs, but the two autonomous regions, Catalunya and the Basque Country, with their colours proudly on display.