Desportivo de Alavés loses to Athletic Bilbao and approaches relegation
An own goal by Manu Sánchez decides the final derby of the season at San Mamés.
Athletic Club plugs United’s wound . The Lions, still grieving over their resounding Europa League exit in the run-up to the final, regained form with a victory over Alavés, which allows them to maintain their lead by finishing the season in fourth place in the league. Valverde’s team won at San Mamés, a venue where pre-match recognition was given to Bilbao Basket, the recent FIBA Europe Cup winners after beating PAOK. Athletic Club’s joy contrasts with Alavés’s sentiment, now pressed by Leganés.
Those who were waiting to see it coming quickly took charge, as Guevara had a clear chance for Alavés just two minutes into the match . In a scramble, Guevara found the ball in the six-yard box, and Simón made himself big enough to get in the way of the shot. After that, the Athletic goalkeeper had little to do. Nor did Sivera , who only had to put his hands out in the 40th minute to deny a shot from Jauregizar, who was the lion who scored at Old Trafford.
And the rest? No Ballon d’Or. What stood out was Maroan’s dispute with Facundo Garcés and Diarra , who only needed to be escorted to the bathroom by two sticky markers full of errands. Half of San Mamés shouted a penalty in the 30th minute after the striker dribbled past Facundo and went down like a bundle to the ground when he seemed to have everything he needed to finish. He slipped. There was no foul. There was also a desire to appreciate the nerve and daring in the actions of Canales and Olabarrieta , chosen to start due to the absence of Williams and Berenguer, with Sancet on the bench recently recovered from injury. There was desire for Djaló, but the former Braga player is an artist . And artists need the day and time to coincide on the Omega dial. That wasn’t the case . The third foul of the first half went to Munera Montero, who decided to use one of those officiating methods that confused both teams. And that shouldn’t be considered a merit.
A Yeray header that narrowly missed from a corner and another deflected shot from Toni Martínez in the following play put the team back in the game after the break, although the game plan was identical to what had happened before. Just after the hour mark, Valverde brought on Sancet, returning from injury , and the Navarrese native stepped up the pace, which Unai Gómez and Guruzeta had already revved up. And then Manu Sánchez scored an own goal . The Babazorro full-back didn’t have time to recover because he was immediately substituted. The decision to change the goal had been made beforehand.
Alavés felt rushed, and Athletic felt doubtful , coming from where they were coming from. They knew all too well what it felt like to suffer a bad moment. In the first of eight minutes of added time, Maroan had the key to the game , but he ran into a brilliant Sivera.
