Athletic Club 1-Albacete 1: Poorly

The poor match against Albacete (1-1) has left no more than one point in San Mamés. The image offered during the first minutes foretold a different outcome, in view of the occasions by Yeste, Urzaiz, Ezquerro (in the 22 minute of play) and Gurpegi (in the 40th). All of them against a reserved Albacete team that, in that period, has only threatened with a header by Pablo, which Prieto has cleared from the post in the minute 38. The second half, however, has been heartless, with an early goal by Pacheco when he scored a non-existent penalty on Navarro, in the minute 55. Athletic Club has accused the blow and, three minutes later, Redondo has crossed a ball excessively in front of Aranzubia. During those minutes, Athletic has suffered from a lack of reaction capacity and the only significant approach has served to demand a penalty to Urzaiz in the minute 69, however the referee has not called it. He has done so in the minute 88, when a ball shot by Prieto bounced off Navarro’s hand. Quite cold-bloodedly, Iraola has scored. There has even been time for another occasion, this time by Etxeberria, but his shot has gone high. It would have been too much of a prize after watching the second half. Despite everything, with only two matches away to finish the League, Athletic remains fifth on the table with two match days to secure it, something which at times did not seem apparent in the stands of San Mamés.