It could and should be better, but there is also the possibility that it could be worse. Yesterday’s draw against Rayo is not well known. Athletic played more and better than its rival in many phases of the match, but again made its shortcomings clear in the final meters. And without goals, there is no paradise.
Nico Williams had Bilbao’s best chance in extra time after a good start on the counterattack, but his left-footed shot ended up hitting the crossbar. To make matters worse, Sancet saw the red card moments later for an excessive and possibly unnecessary tackle on Mumin that Melero López, in overzealousness, was red carded without anyone from VAR to correct him . The Navarrese, if there is no surprise, will miss the visit to Barça.
The lions controlled the situation from the beginning. His best football has translated into steady arrivals, but not many times. The best before the break, paradoxically, was for the locals with a shot from Álvaro García on the post.
Then, as the end approached and the RDT was at grass level, Vallecano forced Agirrezabala to show his style. His arrivals against Dimitrievski, on the other hand, hardly ended with shots on goal. All a burden that has been going on for a long time. Bilbao’s reaction after three consecutive defeats was mediocre.
four changes
Iraola, in his fourth match as coach against Athletic, fielded a very familiar eleven in the clash. The local coach only introduced two variations after the defeat in Cádiz. Mumin for the suspended Catena and Trejo for Raúl de Tomás.
Valverde, for his part, showed four changes regarding the cup duel against Osasuna. Lekue served as right-back, Zarraga formed the double pivot, Nico Williams returned to right winger and Guruzeta got another chance as center forward. De Marcos, Vesga, Muniain and Iñaki Williams went to the bench.
The first half was clearly dominated and controlled by Bilbao. Valverde’s men prevailed over a good portion of the contests, winning the ball back with ease and speed and constantly projecting towards Vallecano’s frame. The lions, however, again falter when it comes to the end of the plays.
Guruzeta, in almost always forced positions, was the most tested in front of goal. Berenguer and Sancet also had their options against a safe Dimitrievski. The best chance of this season, despite everything, ran from the local side. Álvaro García smashed the ball against the post where Agirrezabala was already beaten.
The tone of the meeting did not change much after the break. El Rayo pushed the lions a bit, but they knew how to defend themselves and never stopped trying to attack. Nico Williams and Berenguer have their options.
Iraola looked for solutions on the bench. Raúl de Tomás for Camello is his first change. Athletic started to lose ground from there against Rayo who had their first choice through Mumin. Valverde then turned to Raúl García and Iñaki Williams. He later had to do the same to De Marcos after Lekue was injured.
Local pressure, with Pathé Ciss and Unai López in the middle, intensified. RDT put Agirrezabala to the test this way, but the rojiblanco goalkeeper responded with two excellent saves. Athletic, with Vencedor and Vesga on a double pivot, knew how to be strong at the back and had their best option to finish off a counter attack which Nico Williams finished off with a shot against the crossbar. Then, in an over-the-top fashion, the referee sends Sancet off for a hard tackle on Mumin. Another point, one less player.
VALLECANO RAY
00
ATHLETIC
Vallecano Ray: Dimitrievsky; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Fran Garcia; Isi (Salvi, m.88), Óscar Valentín (Pathé Ciss, m.80), Comesaña, Álvaro García; Trejo (Unai López, m.80); and Camel (Raúl de Tomás, m.66).
Athletic: Agirrezabala; Lekue (De Marcos, m.77), Vivian, Iñigo Martínez, Yuri; Dani García (Vesga, m.84), Zarraga; Nico Williams, Sancet, Berenguer (Iñaki Williams, m.72); and Guruzeta (Raúl García, m.72).
Referee: Mario Melero López (Andalusian Committee). He advised Mumin (21) for Rayo. He sent off Sancet for a straight red card in the 93rd minute for a hard tackle on Mumin.
happenings: Match corresponding to the twenty-fourth day of LaLiga Santander, played at the Vallecas stadium before 14,500.
see the match sheet
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
