Athletic beat Osasuna in San Mamés and also in the Estadio de la Cerámica because Real beat Villarreal. The people from Bilbao, therefore, will play for seventh place in Seville against a squad that is already in the Champions League. What has to happen? That the rojiblancos get a better result than Unai Emery’s team, who goes to the Camp Nou. What seemed like a miracle a few days ago becomes a possibility. And all thanks to a victory against a team from Navarra that didn’t put a team that celebrated the goals of Berenguer and Villalibre, the speed and attacks of Iñaki Williams and the defensive solidity of Yeray. On the other hand, the injuries to Raúl García and Nico, who seem to miss out on the rest of the season.
Marcelino did not want to experiment in attack. Contrary to what happened in Granada, he placed Williams and Raúl García at the top. Behind, De Marcos returned to the right side and Yeray took the position from VIvian. The summary of the first part? Well, a continuous attack by the Biscayans, almost always culminated without aim by Iñaki Williams. The Bilbao attacker had opportunities in all situations: hand in hand through the center, on the right, on the left… And he always found himself with an immense Sergio Herrera, and also, it must be said, with little ability to get around to Miranda’s goal. There was only one team in that first half, the rojiblanco. From Osasuna there was little news, except for a small arreón at the end. Not too much either. In fact, Simon’s only action was a poor clearance with his foot.
In the 7th minute, for example, the ball passed through the area with a cross from Yuri. Next, there is a penalty from Aridane to Nico that only the cameras see. The little boy from the Williams had a good first half, dribbled with speed and skill, and found his brother on several occasions, who did not hit his shots. In the 20th minute, for example, he missed a one-on-one, and collided with Herrera, who fell to the ground in pain. Shortly before, Raúl García had been injured, and Berenguer came on in his place. We had to wait until minute 33 for Berenguer to finish off perfectly, as the canons dictate, a corner from Muniain. Another assistance, there are already eleven. There was some more action, but none came in. The worst, Nico’s injury, replaced at halftime by Villalibre. That, by the way, Nico scored a great shot that Herrera, of course, deflected.
As soon as it started, Williams was able to sentence. Here, it was more demerit of Sergio Herrera, who cleared and hit the attacker. On the next play, Barja shot and met Yeray, who cleared for a corner. But Osasuna came back, again and again. Like Budimir, in the 58th minute, he cleared more than he finished. The match was still the same. With Osasuna better. In fact, Marcelino changed the center of the field with 20 minutes remaining in the game. Zarraga and Petxa entered, for Dani García and Vencedor. To all this, the Real came back from the match in Villarreal and left Athletic alive for the last day. Good news. The bad? Another injury. De Yeray, the best of the match. In the end, he was not replaced. And Capa entered. Cheered, shortly after Villalibre scored the second pass from Williams. There yes the Bilbao was successful. It only remained that Villarreal did not score. And it didn’t happen. To Seville for Europe. By the way, the side from Portugalete almost scored. It would have been…
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