Barca brush aside Bilbao

MADRID - Champions Barcelona bushed aside Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on Saturday to return to the top of La Liga and open a three-point gap on Real Madrid, who they face next week in 'El Clasico'.

Barcelona have a decisive week ahead of them with the Champions League quarterfinal second leg at home to Arsenal on Tuesday and then a trip to Real four days later.

They enjoyed the perfect preparation on Saturday with three points and a convincing win that puts the pressure on Real Madrid to win at Racing Santander on Sunday.