BILBAO, Spain (AP):

Xavi Hernandez and Pedro Rodriguez scored in the second half to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup yesterday.

After Oscar de Marcos opened for the hosts in the 45th minute at the San Mames stadium, Pedro fed Xavi in the 59th for the equaliser. Pedro then sliced a long shot beyond goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for the winner in the 68th.

Barcelona were without Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as they bid for the first of a possible six trophies this season. Barcelona beat Athletic in the Copa del Rey final last season as part of their historic treble together with league and Champions League triumphs.

The second leg will be played at the Camp Nou on August 23.

As well as attempting to retain their three titles, Barcelona also meet UEFA Cup winner Shakhtar Donetsk for the European Supercup on August 28 and compete in the Club World Cup in December.

Although Thierry Henry started despite an Achilles tendon injury, Barcelona's offence lacked punch through the middle period of the game before Xavi's goal re-energised the Catalans, who had dominated early on.

Right-footed shot

Seydo Keita broke free down the left side of the area to find Pedro with a centring pass that was dished back to Xavi, and the Spain international curled a right-footed shot around a crowd and inside the right post.

Xavi returned the favour with a short lead to Pedro, who stepped up to fire a curling strike beyond the outstretched Athletic goalkeeper.

"The truth is that things are working well, my teammates have been great and I've just had the luck of scoring," Pedro said. "We hope to play well at home to win the title."

Athletic will need at least a 2-0 victory to lift their first piece of silverware since winning the competition in 1984.