Athletic is asking Sestao for time to pass the round

Athletic ended up asking for time in Las Llanas. Raúl García’s goal before the break allowed the lions, however, to solve this Biscayan derby against a Sestao River that did not stop trying until the end. Valverde was finally able to claim victory against a rival and on a field he knew well from his days as a footballer.

No concessions of any kind from the rojiblanco coach. Unlike. The starting team from Bilbao in this cup match will undoubtedly be the same as the return to the League in Villamarín next week.

The verdinegros made it clear that their lead in group 2 of the Second RFEF was not a result of chance. Unlike. The locals knew how to compete from start to finish and had their picks to clinch the tie. It is true that they may also receive a little more resistance.

Aitor Calle faced this clash against Athletic with a very familiar eleven. The local coach made some changes compared to the team that just tied with Beasain in the League, but stayed true to his usual system. Several players who once passed through Lezama are at grass level and even one of them, Kepa Uriarte, is now at the green-and-black club on loan.

Valverde, as expected, is also taking this cup clash seriously. The coach from Gasteiz chose almost the same line-up he put in last Thursday in the friendly against Burgos. The two changes compared to that friendly match were caused by Morcillo’s sick leave and Iñigo Martínez’s foot problems. Nico Williams and Vivian are his replacements.

The withdrawal of the Sestao River forced the lions to gnash their teeth in defense. Huete and Kepa Uriarte soon put Agirrezabala to the test, who again responded with success under the sticks. The green-and-black impetus disappeared with the passage of minutes and the knowledge of the rojiblancos. Athletic’s scoring chances, despite having control of the game, were conspicuously absent until Raúl García, smart and accurate almost always, opened the scoring just after the first half hour with an acrobatic shot.

Guruzeta, wounded

Guruzeta’s injury, after the late entry of a local defender, forced Valverde to bring Iñaki Williams on the field. The first half ended with chances for Raúl García and Kepa Uriarte. The second half started with a local change. Urzelay entered through Huete.

Sestao River pushed hard after resuming the match and soon had an option on Leandro’s boot. Iñaki Williams forced the local goalkeeper to intervene immediately. Aitor Calle’s men once again made it clear to Athletic that they did not consider the game or the tie for defeat.

The Valverdes tried to make their properties long, but they did not always succeed. The visiting coach, after another attempt by Leandro, strengthened his midfield with the simultaneous entry of Muniain and Dani García. Nico Williams, after a good pass from his brother from the band, forgave the unforgivable for a while. Villaliber entered soon after. Calle, for his part, took Baqué and Juste, two players with a past in Lezama, as a last resort.

Sestao River pressed on to continue the clash and soon had an option on Leandro’s boot. Iñaki Williams forced the local goalkeeper to intervene immediately. Aitor Calle’s men once again made it clear to Athletic that they did not consider the game or the tie for defeat.

The Valverdes tried to make their properties long, but they did not always succeed. The visiting coach, after another attempt by Leandro, strengthened his midfield with the simultaneous entry of Muniain and Dani García. Nico Williams, after a good pass from his brother from the band, forgave the unforgivable for a while. Villaliber entered soon after.

The green-and-black, with everything lost and little time to go, launched themselves in search of an equalizer and went around Agirrezabala’s goal on several occasions, but did not finish between the three sticks. The lions, aware of the situation, gnashed their teeth in defense until claiming victory.