Bilbao Athletic stumbled on Lezama

Bad start for Bilbao Athletic in Lezama. After the goalless draw achieved on the first day against UD Logroñés in Las Gaunas, the boys lost the lowest at home against a Utebo who only lost at home against Arenas. The rojiblancos realized that the category difference with respect to the First RFEF existed, but the Second RFEF was not easy either.

The masters faced this challenge with well-learned lessons and their specific game system was fully assimilated and synchronized. Gurpegi’s students, in the middle of the adaptation phase and with three players who train regularly under Valverde, did not feel comfortable throughout the first half. First half where the blues played more and better, even without putting Padilla in big trouble.

Barrero, their natural center forward, had two shots on goal during this period and both times he put the ball in the net of the Bilbao goal. The first was invalidated due to offside. The second, in the 40th minute, got on the scoreboard after a good header. Bilbao Athletic’s reaction came immediately, but Chanza, Utebo’s goalkeeper, prevented Izeta and Mattheus’ shots from ending up in a goal.

Change of decor

Gurpegi, aware that his team needed to add more depth and depth to their game, opted to make two changes at half-time. Changes also indicated a difference in the game system. Bilbao Athletic, with De Luis positioned in a defense of three centre-backs and Ibón Sánchez ahead of Jauregizar and Unai Gómez, began to put their rivals in trouble from almost kick-off. Matteus goes for it again, but Chanza blocks again.

De Luis himself and Jauregizar tested the visiting goalkeeper. Not successful. The blues suffered more and more, but managed to keep their advantage intact. Nor was the referee correct in avoiding a continuous delay of play, an occurrence that prevented Cubs football from enjoying much-needed continuity.

The test from the bench did not work. Gurpegi, after seeing the improvement experienced by his replacement in the changes introduced at halftime, turned to winger Quicala, although he placed him near the right wing. His attempts and those of Adu Ares himself, despite everything, continued without finding an auctioneer in most cases. The inclusion of Iñigo López in such a situation seems logical, although Bilbao Athletic started playing with one less centre-back.

Utebo, who knew how to gnash their teeth and use what was called other football, held back and managed to make it 0-2 with a shot from Sarriegi that seemed to hit the post. Later Izeta had the score at 1-1, but his shot went into the hands of Chanza. Hard stick for puppies.