Punishment in favor of controversy and point. Athletic could have been worse yesterday after their visit to Mallorca. Everything pointed to a new defeat for the lions when the arm of Ruiz de Galarreta, who his own coach has already put in Bilbao’s ranks next season, blocked Raúl García’s point-blank shot. The referee awarded the maximum penalty without noticing another possible earlier hand by Adu Ares and Iñaki Williams sealed the tie. Then there is no time even to serve from the middle of the field.
The Lions squandered a second successive chance to finish sixth in the table. This time, like a few days before against Sevilla in San Mamés, they were also close to losing, but they did not do so because of the aforementioned final action of a clash in which they played whatever the vermilions wanted at all times . . The will and good intentions of the rojiblancos did not give more.
And it is not small, saw what was seen, the point rescued in extremis. Teams, like Mallorca, that know how to deviate are suffocating this team from Bilbao that wants to assume and make the initiative of the game, but that lacks offensive arguments strong enough to destroy any wall which they will place before it. It was enough for the locals to score a goal against surprise starter Agirrezabala. The lions, on the other hand, suffered unspeakably from the score and from a penalty.
Surprises at eleven
Aguirre received the Bilbao team with five changes. Vasco stuck to his usual system with a defense five, four in midfield and only Muriqi up front. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta is part of the game.
Valverde surprised locals and strangers alike with his lineup. The rojiblanco coach chose Agirrezabala from the start under the sticks with Paredes at right-back and covered the casualties due to Sancet’s suspension and Muniain’s injury to Raúl García in the midfielder. Unai Simón, De Marcos, Dani García and Nico Williams started unexpectedly on the bench.
The dynamics of the first half match remained constant from the first whistle until the break. Mallorca opted for intensive withdrawal. Athletic took the initiative of the game, but had neither the capacity nor the idea to generate danger and overcome the solid and strong vermilion wall. Goal chances are notable for their absence. A header from Valjent was saved by the visiting defence, another from Paredes at the hands of Rajkovic and little else.
The second half started with Nico Williams for Guruzeta on the rojiblanco side. The lions wanted to take a step forward, but Mallorca, from its defensive stability, took advantage of the situation to start appearing on the counterattack. Two near-consecutive outings, with Bilbao’s defense on the loose, allowed the locals to take the lead on the scoreboard. Muriqui called first and Kang in Lee scored soon after.
Valverde then turned first to De Marcos and Zarraga and later Dani García and Adu Ares. The lions intensified their dominance, but there were no clear scoring options. Aguirre, along with his team, is gradually pulling from the bench. With five minutes remaining, he chose to replace Muriqui and Kang In Lee. Bilbao’s persistence was rewarded unexpectedly. The controversy about VAR, yes, continues.
MAJORCA
11
ATHLETIC
Majorca: Rajković; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo (Hadzikadunic, min. 66), Copete, Jaume Costa; Morlanes (Baba, min. 72), Ruiz de Galarreta, Kang In Lee (Antonio Sánchez, min. 85), Ndiayé (min. 73); and Muriqi (Kadewere, min. 85).
Athletic: Aguirrezabala; Paredes, Vivian, Yeray (De Marcos, min. 65), Yuri; Ander Herrera (Zarraga, min. 65), Vesga (Adu Ares, min. 75); Iñaki Williams, Raúl García, Berenguer (Dani García, min. 75); and Guruzeta (Nico Williams, min. 46).
the objectives: 1-0, min. 57: Kang In Lee; 1-1 min. 96 Iñaki Williams, from a penalty.
Referee: Jorge Figueroa Vázquez (Andalusian Committee). He showed a straight red card to Raillo (min. 96) for protesting after the game. He advised Raillo (min. 15), Muriqi (min. 17), Maffeo (min. 29), Ruiz de Galarreta (min. 94), from Mallorca; Berchiche (min. 40) and Nico Williams (min. 63), from Athletic.
happenings: The match corresponding to day 32 of LaLiga was played at the Son Moix stadium in front of 16,807 spectators.
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.
