Z.Ibrahimovic yet to make Barca debut
Summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make his official debut for Barcelona on Sunday as last season's treble winners go for their first title of the 2009/10 campaign in the second leg of the Supercopa de Espana against Athletic Bilbao.
Ibrahimovic, who arrived at the Nou Camp earlier this summer from Inter Milan in a big-money deal which saw Samuel Eto'o move in the other direction, has missed virtually all of Barca's pre-season preparations following an operation on a fractured hand.
The Sweden striker finally made his first appearance for the club in Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Joan Gamper Trophy, when he came off the bench in the second half.
Following his spell on the sidelines, against City Ibrahimovic looked a pale shadow of the player who has terrorised Serie A defences for the last five seasons.
Nevertheless, Guardiola says his new striker will have all the time he needs to settle at the club.
"As long he is showing me the application he is showing every day, he can take as long as he needs to settle and adapt," he said on Saturday.
"He can play badly as many times as he likes."
But the Barca coach believes the Swede will adapt quickly to the club's style of play.
"I'm not worried; he just needs time on the pitch and that will help him to adapt well," he said.
And Guardiola hopes his side can start off this season how they finished the last: winning trophies.
"To start the year with a title would be very positive," he said.
The Catalans take a 2-1 lead into tomorrow's match from the away leg, but the Barca coach wants maximum commitment from his side against Athletic.
"They will come out to pressure us and we will have to be careful - I want the maximum application and effort from my players," he said.
But Guardiola wants his side to remain true to their philosophy.
"We will set out to attack, as always," he said.
The Barca coach will be without Andres Iniesta and Rafa Marquez, who are both making their way back from injury.
Meanwhile, youngsters Marc Muniesa, Jeffren Suarez, Jonathon dos Santos and Andreu Fontas have all been named in the squad to face Athletic and could feature in the game.
Guardiola looks set to start with a strong side, though.
After this match, Barcelona face Shakhtar Donetsk in the European Super Cup in Monaco next Friday.
Joaquin Caparros' side took the lead in the first leg in Bilbao last weekend, but eventually lost 2-1.
The Basques then defeated Norwegian side Tromso 3-2 in a Europa League qualifying-round first leg on Thursday night.
And with next Thursday's trip to Scandinavia very much in mind, Caparros is likely to name a weakened side on Sunday.
Aitor Ocio and Fernando Amorebieta are both carrying knocks and will not be risked, while Fran Yeste, Mikel Susaeta, Javi Martinez, Iker Muniain and Oscar de Marcos have also remained in Bilbao.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente has travelled to Barcelona, but is likely to be left on the bench.
Summer signing Inigo Diaz de Cerio looks set to make his debut up front.
Caparros admits his side have only a slim chance of overturning their 2-1 first leg deficit.
"The probabilities are small, but I've seen everything in football," he said.
"We'll go there, try to play a good game and see what happens."
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