Villalibre arrived in time to prevent Athletic’s defeat against Osasuna

All pointed to Athletic’s second defeat of the season at San Mamés when Villalibre capitalized on a loose ball inside the Osasuna area to seal the eventual draw. The lions thus saved the crunch point which brings them closer than they would like to an Atlético de Madrid who, if they win tomorrow, will almost confirm fourth place. The rojillos blew a two-goal lead.

[+] Check out the summary with all the goals:

The evening began with a tribute by both teams to Raúl García, the veteran player who will retire at the end of this season. Once the match started, with Navarrese on the substitutes’ bench, it was another Raúl García, the visiting striker, who began to make a difference. His goal near halftime complicated life for a red and white team that wasn’t having the best night.

The problems for the lions increased at the beginning of the second half with a new guest goal, this one by Rubén García. Far from giving up, the people of Bilbao continued to strive with more will than success. Iñaki Williams, with a huge shot after a ball that was resisted by the honored Raúl García, closed the gap and when everything pointed to the final 1-2, the aforementioned tie came in the 97th minute, the work by one Villalibre who later had another. clear opportunity to sign the return.

Valverde resolved the doubt in the center backs, due to the suspension of Yeray and Paredes, betting on Vivian and Lekue. Yuri, recovering from his ankle injury, returned to the left-handed side with Ander Herrera and Vesga in the double pivot and Prados and Unai Gómez on the bench. The absence of Guruzeta was solved by the Gasteiz coach by betting on Muniain as a midfielder with Iñaki Williams and Berenguer alternating in the center forward position.

Osasuna appeared with a more or less predictable starting eleven. Arrasate, who like Valverde was unable to sit on the bench due to suspension, planted in his team a defense of four with a central line of five and Raúl as a striker. The rojillos, like the rojiblancos, also suffered heavy losses in their eleven.

The clash started with a scare for the locals, which was resolved by Lekue. Soon after, came the first of two disallowed goals, disallowed, for the Bilbao team in this first half via VAR. Nico Williams and Berenguer could have scored later, but Herrera kept it out for the first time. The rojillos, this time in blue, are getting stronger at the back and creating more concern with their stubborn arrival in Unai Simón’s territory. VAR, by the way, also disallowed Raúl’s goal for offside.

The game changed dramatically near the break by the narrow margin of a minute. Muniain was disallowed by VAR and Raúl immediately made it 0-1 by finishing a cross from Mojica.

The second half started with Villalibre replacing Berenguer and an early goal from Osasuna. Rubén García took advantage of a long pass from Areso and a hesitation on the part of some lions to stand alone against Unai Simón and make it 0-2. Athletic, far from collapsing, continued to work hard and reduced the gap soon with a great shot from Iñaki Williams.

Osasuna started to have a difficult time against the local avalanche, but they gradually regained their place and control of the match. Valverde then opted for a triple substitution, bringing in Prados, Unai Gómez and Raúl García at the same time. The reds didn’t even flinch. Arrasate also chose to give oxygen to his team first with Aimar and later Juan Cruz, Arnaiz and Jorge. The Lions, with Adu Ares replacing Nico Williams, stepped up their pressure, but hardly had any chances. Everything until the end when Villalibre took advantage of a loose ball in the red area to tie it up. He then had another clear chance to make it 3-2, but he missed it.