Athletic regained European rhythm in Valladolid

Athletic once again found success in their visit to Zorrilla. After four consecutive games without a win, Valverde’s men clearly prevailed against a Valladolid who had many casualties in their ranks. The lions know how to be strong at the back until they handle a Pucelano team with few options against Agirrezabala’s frame.

Iñigo Martínez, called up by De la Fuente in the morning for upcoming Spain international commitments, opened the scoring after half an hour with a free-kick that deflected past Óscar Plano and dislodged Asenjo. Guruzeta, who had already scored twice against the Blanquivioletas in San Mamés, scored Athletic’s second goal just after half-time after De Marcos’ measured pass.

Valladolid, seemingly sunk, reacted to the entry of rookie Pozo and the goal that the Canadian almost followed from Larin. The joy was short-lived on the Pucelano side, as a few minutes later a cross by Nico Williams ended in a penalty by the hand of Joaquín and a goal by Vesga from the deadly area. The match ended at that exact moment.

Both Pacheta and Valverde presented four novelties in their respective line-ups. The local coach, with up to seven casualties in his squad, brought Javi Sánchez to the back, placed Escudero as left-back and was forced to change his double pivot, betting on Monchu and Kike Pérez. Valladolid is planted with a system similar to that of Athletic (1-4-2-3-1).

Valverde’s changes also first affected the rear. Thus Yeray and Yuri regained their position at the expense of Vivian and Balenziaga. The return of Sancet, after serving his suspension against Barça, and the inclusion of Guruzeta up top saw them replace this time by Raúl García and Berenguer. The Williams, in this way, acted as wings, with the oldest of them sticking to the left.

The clash on the sodden and fast Zorrilla turf started at full speed. Both teams pressed from almost kick-off and had their own approach. Shots, in any case, took longer to come due to the efficiency shown by both defenses.

The lions, once the situation was under control, began to control the back better and continued to appear in front of Asenjo’s territory. Great tackles on the wing, but no accurate centers and, logically, hardly any shots between the three sticks. Nico Williams, Vesga and Iñaki Williams thus had their options in front of goal.

A goal they ended up getting at the end of the first half hour of play after a foul on Sancet on the edge of the local area. Iñigo Martínez managed to throw it and the ball, after previously bouncing off Óscar Plano, ended up in the back of the net. The Bilbao men continued around the Pucelana area until the break.

Athletic, who had the advantage on the scoreboard, came out bossy in the second half. The lions, after the first local impulses had subsided, began to arrive with insistence. Guruzeta, after several previous occasions, ended up translating this Bilbao excellence into a second goal. The striker from San Sebastian himself took advantage of a good pass by De Marcos to make it 0-2.

Pacheta, who brought on Joaquín at half-time, completed his changes by bringing on first Aguado and Sergio León and then Olaza and Pozo. The latter, a youth player making his debut in the First Division, moved quickly and Larin took advantage of a slip from Dani García to close the gap. Pucelana’s reaction was interrupted immediately after Joaquín’s handball which was converted by Vesga.