Athletic dropped two points yesterday at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Lions deserve more than a draw against a Villarreal team that has prioritized the Champions League over the League without a doubt. Emery, however, showed a highly competitive block, though plagued by substitutes. In the starting eleven formed a few days before against Bayern in the same scenario, no players came out of the game.
Marcelino’s group was punished as usual. The rojiblancos returned to pardon more than necessary against the local plot. For the yellows, on the other hand, fewer strategies were enough to level the goal recorded by Raúl García, after a great play by Muniain and with referee suspense, before the break. Pedraza signed the tables in the second half.
The players and even the coach of the Bilbao team complained, for all reasons in the world, about a penalty not prompted by Del Cerro Grande for a handball, elbow in this case, by Serge Aurier. The referee, at the request of the VAR, went to review the game in question, a game that was initially not noticed and the repetitions were responsible for clarification, but he understood that the arm- contact the ball is unintentional.
The over -disputed arbitration decision has not been a barrier, after all, for Athletic to enter the break with an advantage on the scoreboard. Bilbao’s goal, surprisingly, was also granted at the VAR’s request because Del Cerro had previously rescinded it due to non-existent offside. In this case, the referee does not have to look at the play on the monitor.
When the lions hit the hardest, unfortunately, the goal of the local tie came. Emery put in all possible artillery from there, along with five regulatory changes, but the rojiblancos knew how to re-arm and even had their options to win the battle.
Unai Simón, true, also had to intervene, albeit less so than Asenjo. Between the good work of the Villarreal goalkeeper and the poor performance of Athletic forwards, especially Iñaki Williams, two points were lost that would allow the Lions to climb to seventh place.
There’s one of the big differences between a team with options to get into the Champions League semifinals and another that seems to be barred from getting into the Conference League. Emery, of course, could have two different eleven that are highly competitive. Marcelino, on the other hand, has to switch positions quickly with some players. Petxa, for example, went in for injured Vesga to act as a central midfielder and finished as a winger with Dani García and Zarraga retrieved on double pivot.
Two introductory surprises
The Asturian coach was surprised from the start by leaving Yuri and Sancet on the bench. Balenziaga and Raúl García, two famous veterans, took up their positions and fulfilled their mission. Athletic got all the favor from them being sentenced at the Estadio de la Cerámica, but they forgave more than necessary. The lions, frankly, also struggled when Emery pulled Gerard Moreno, Danjuma and companions. The point, as seen at the grass level, is little is known, though it does have merits. Villarreal is not lighthearted.
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.
