Athletic, both coach and players, showed the world that Barcelona can be beaten.

There are ways of stopping Messi and also of neutralising the two-pronged 'Azulgrana' team offensive: positional and counterattack.

In a match, battle lines are drawn in the opening minutes. And Athletic did just that with their tactical approach, their occupation of spaces. No hanging back. Changes in the starting line up relative to the first leg but the focus just as clear, or even more so, than on Friday.

The back four well forward under express orders to push into the midfield despite the risks that this could pose with Messi, Luis Suárez and Pedro looming. The team within 30-35 metres, the lines drawn up close. The same design to attack and defend. An organised and compact 1-4-4-1-1.

When Barça unleashed their full force, Bóveda and Susaeta acted as full-backs and the team defence formed up into a line of six ... but they never dipped back into their own area.

A video to show those forwards who think that defending impedes attack. Linking up well, Eraso behind Aduriz, two offensive 'Rojiblancos' proved that the two concepts are not incompatible. An impressive physical and positional response. Both defended well and pressured both the two centre-backs (Piqué-Mascherano) to move the ball out, and made particular efforts to close down the natural passing lines from Busquets to Rakitic and Iniesta. They succeeded.