Second-stringers shine, but Barca counts the cost

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique hailed the contribution of his bit-part players as a much-changed side saw off Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at Camp Nou on Saturday to move to within a point of La Liga leader Real Madrid.

However, Barca's day was blighted by a groin strain suffered by first-choice centerback Gerard Pique which could keep him out of Tuesday's Copa del Rey semifinal, second leg at home to Atletico Madrid.

Despite holding a 2-1 lead over Atletico, Enrique maintained his policy of heavily rotating his starting XI throughout a demanding start to the year.