Athletic’s good run in the League has taken on a better life. Braithwaite’s solitary goal, after a lack of coordination between the safe Vivian and Yeray so far, with just seven minutes to go, condemned an Atletico team that was losing energy, intensity and ideas as the minutes ticked by . The Spaniard, on the other hand, was rewarded for its excellent defense in one of its few strategies against the local team.
This time, none of the changes introduced in Valverde’s quick flight gave the expected results. The lions are diluted to a constantly lacking and unable. The visitors, on the other hand, fought until the final whistle.
San Mamés, despite everything, said goodbye to its lions with applause. In desire and trial it does not remain. Bilbao’s problems have to do this time, mainly, with the lack of success at the end. Even the crossbar, with a great shot by Berenguer on the edge of the break, crossed his path.
Valverde bet from the start for the same starting eleven he showed on Monday in Cádiz. Iñaki Williams, despite a sprained ankle at the time, recovered in time and continued his record for consecutive league games. The man from Bilbao now has 237.
Diego Martínez, for his part, made some variations to his first team. New signings Álvaro Fernández and Braithwaite earned a place in the visiting line-up. The Spaniard was planted at San Mamés with a 1-4-5-1 system.
Athletic, with Sancet ahead of Vesga and level with Muniain, pinned their rival from almost a center kick. Berenguer began to accumulate arrivals and shots against the rival team, but without involving the parakeet goalkeeper. Joselu, thanks to a good pass from Darder, also had an unbeatable chance to open the scoring.
The lions don’t stop stepping on the accelerator anytime soon. The Blue and Whites, more solid at the back, defended with order, although they were barely visible in Unai Simón’s possessions. With Williams and Vesga also bracing themselves in auction time, the first half ended with Berenguer’s shot hitting the crossbar.
Espanyol, with Darder more advanced after the change of Bare for Edu Expósito, seemed to take a step forward at the offensive level from the beginning of the second period. In fact, Braithwaite and Óscar Gil tried their luck against Unai Simón. Valverde, aware that his team needed solutions, withdrew Guruzeta, scorer of two goals in Cádiz, and placed Iñaki Williams near the wing.
The lions improved, but there were no chances. The rojiblanco coach then turned to Vencedor and Raúl García. Local harassment increased in intensity, but the visiting response was deadly. Braithwaite, who was about to be substituted, took advantage of a misunderstanding between Vivian and Yeray to beat Unai Simón with seven minutes remaining. The black pudding, with Ander Herrera warming up on the wing for a long time, was the last bullet for the Atletico coach.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
