Better late than never, Athletic

Valverde stirs the hornet’s nest and the lions wake up in time. This match against Ludogorets was not a good look at what was seen in the first half, with the local goal by VAR, and the little spark shown by the red and white after the break. The changing tenants of the right wing allow forces to begin to become equal and become unequal. De Marcos, with a brilliant finish from Iñaki Williams, and Nico Serrano exposed what had looked like a solid Bulgarian defence.

Valverde got it right. The veteran captain contributed substance and the young winger, who despite being left-footed, played on the other wing, venom, danger and purpose. The one with a definitive comeback. One of success. The one that allowed the people of Bilbao to add three consecutive wins in the Europa League after the first draw with Roma and exit the top eight in the table. Next to nothing.

Athletic is pointless when it plays at half speed. His thing is to put a lot of effort into the game. Neither Beñat Prados nor Galarreta, two very dynamic footballers, had their best night this time. They were also not accompanied by those in front and even behind.

For the hosts, withdrawal, tactical rigor and counterattacking efforts were enough to overcome an unknown Athletic. The local forwards were overcome by their selfishness in front of Agirrezabala’s goal. 2-0 seemed closer to 1-1, but a simultaneous triple change and even the subsequent inclusion of Unai Gómez served to dispel the ghosts and put things in their proper place.

Hauling

Ludogorets pulled their usual block against the lions. Jovicevic, their coach, made only two changes compared to the team that had just lost to Hebar Pazardzhik in their League. Yordanov and Rwan Cruz, their top scorer, came on for Chochev and the suspended Pedrinho. The locals chose this opportunity for a clear 1-4-4-2.

Valverde also did not use extensive rotation in this match. The red and white coach limited himself to making some changes after the clash against Betis. Gorosabel replaced De Marcos at right back and Berenguer replaced Sancet in midfield.

It soon became clear that the lions were uncomfortable on the slippery grass of the Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad. Iñaki Williams, however, had the first two scoring chances. The red-and-white striker was not well, especially in the second without marking just a foot from the local goal. The Bulgarians, however, took advantage of their first arrival to score.

Erick Marcus took advantage of a loose ball off a corner to beat Agirrezabala with a powerful and sneaky shot from outside the area. The referee, at the lineman’s request, disallowed the goal for offside, but VAR validated the goal. Ludogorets thus scored their first goal in this edition of the Europa League.

The lions, without much conviction, assumed the initiative of the game from then on, but only Berenguer was able to put goalkeeper Padt in trouble. Rick, Duah and Marcus themselves had better chances on the counterattack before the break.

The dynamics of the match did not change at the beginning of the second half. Athletic continued without providing the necessary rhythm to their football and the locals, retreating, looked for their options on the counter. In fact, Duah forced Agirrezabala to risk his head. Valverde, aware of the situation, introduced De Marcos, Vesga and Nico Serrano at the same time.

The meeting setting varies from there. Yuri was the first to cheer. The rest of his teammates, including Unai Gómez who was on the field, also stepped forward.

The red and white persistence paid off in just two minutes. Iñaki Williams, with a pass from De Marcos, and Nico Serrano, turned the score around in the blink of an eye. The people of Bilbao, with Ander Herrera as the last reinforcement, did not stop running and playing until they declared victory. This is the third tournament in a row after the draw on the opening day in Rome.