Athletic Club 1-2 Espanyol
While Athletic Club entered the game as a Champions League side, there is no doubt which team looks closer to becoming one next season. Los Pericos continued their good run at San Mames, against an Athletic who felt they could not hold their own.
The home team started on the front foot, winning the battle in midfield, with both sides looking to take the ball forward quickly after regaining it. Los Leones forced Marko Dmitrovic into an early save, but Alex Berenguer was thwarted by a second good stop from the Serbian in their best move of the first half, which was cleared from a good spot by Nico Williams.
Leandro Cabrera and Carlos Romero also did admirably to avoid the opening game with two blocks from Sancet and Berenguer, but in the end Athletic’s wasteful attack won their pressure. Williams’ deflected shot trickled behind the defenders, and Berenguer was quicker than both Ivan Calero and Dmitrovic to slot in and finish neatly.
This does not mean that Espanyol was played outside. Roberto Fernandez ran behind the back line, troubling Inigo Lekue all night, and went around Unai Simon, but couldn’t keep his feet to finish. At the end of the half though, Fernandez’s free-kick was awarded to Romero on the edge of the box, who expertly slotted his volley into the far corner.
Espanyol dominated the second half
Espanyol continued to grow in the game, and continued their momentum in the second half. Tyrhys Dolan got the better of Adama Boiro on the right, and found a tunnel of danger between the defense and Simon, where Pere Milla slotted in with a poor finish.
A goal down with half an hour to go, Athletic began to deliver crosses into the box, but compared to the first half, there was no danger. Now in possession, Espanyol looked to have a chance to score whenever Edu Exposito or Kike Garcia found a way past Athletic’s pressure, albeit in very different styles.
Only out of desperation and the last 10 minutes did the threat increase. Gorka Guruzeta headed into the top of the net, alerting the counterattack, before Berenguer forced a strong save from Dmitrovic. Now in stoppage time, Oihan Sancet couldn’t hit the target with what looked like their last chance. Unai Gomez, the unlucky striker who couldn’t hit the net with a low Dmitrovic and a loose ball to him.
Manolo Gonzalez’s men, who continue to show as much grit as they do quality and intelligence, are strong in the European race, even if their manager disagrees. Los Pericos move within two points of 4th place Villarreal, on a streak of five straight wins.
Ernesto Valverde will analyze the game later this week, but it is unlikely to make him a little hot on the collar; Athletic have missed enough chances to feel unfairly beaten. Nevertheless, it continues the feeling of impotence of Athletic, 10 points from Espanyol, five from Real Betis in 6th place.
