Cultures Collide When Barcelona faces Bilbao

Throughout Spain's long history, regional and national identities have always butted heads. The idea of a unified Spain has always sparked controversy in a land with so many diverse and differing cultures. 

No two regions exemplify this better than Catalunya and the Basque Country. Coincidentally, both of these sections of Spain use their football teams as the most public expression of their heritage. 

In Catalunya, FC Barcelona is a source of pride and love for Catalans. The colors of the Catalan flag are in the club's badge. The team itself uses Catalan as the official language, not Spanish. 

Barcelona's club motto is in Catalan and reads "Mes que un club" or "more than a club." The saying alludes to the club standing as symbol of a nation, not just a team that plays football.

In the Basque Country, Athletic Bilbao plays a similar role. Los Leonas are so passionate about their Basque heritage that they only use players with Basque ancestry, although they prefer to use players born in the Basque Country itself. 

Barcelona's team has a history of signing foreigners, but they still count on a strong contingent of Catalan players including Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol, Bojan Krkic, Victor Vales, and Gerard Pique. These players have represent Catalunya's National Team as well as Spain's.

Barcelona is certainly one of the biggest clubs in the world and are the second most successful club in Spain, but few outside the country know that Athletic Bilbao are Spain's third most successful club, having won eight La Liga Titles. Bilbao has also won the Copa del Rey 24 times, a number only bettered by Barcelona after the Catalans beat Bilbao in last year's final.

Bilbao have great young stars in Fernando Llorente and Javier Martinez, but they can come no where near the star power of Barcelona.

After a week of international games, Barcelona's players could be tired from their exertions after exploitations with their national teams. Interestingly, the only major injury worry for Barca is a player who did not take part in a match for his national team, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibra will miss the match with a thigh injury which could mean a starting role for Bojan or Pedro. 

The match will take place in Bilbao's historic San Memes Stadium, called "The Cathedral" and will be a return to club football for Irish nemesis Thierry Henry.

After all of the outcry following the Frenchman's handball to help knock out the Republic of Ireland from the World Cup, it will be interesting to see how Henry will play after such a hectic and emotionally draining week. The France captain will certainly be happy to get back to a normal routine with his club after being made a villain world wide for his actions Wednesday. 

Henry's France teammate Eric Abidal is also likely to miss out, which should see a rare start for Maxwell at leftback.

Barcelona's players will also take the match knowing that their Champions League future will be in the balance on Tuesday when Inter come to the Camp Nou. Any injuries could be catastrophic if Barcelona wants to retain the Champions League trophy.

With all the possible distractions and Ibrahimovic's absence, the scene is set for the upset, especially in front of 40 thousand Basques who will like nothing more than to knock off the team that pipped them for their first major trophy in fifteen years last season.