Austria 0-Athletic Club 0: A first step

The match that has had more previous history has turned out to be the one with less to talk about after its dispute. Finally, although the condition of the pitch has not been the most suitable, the Israeli referee, Alon Yefet, has signalled the kick-off. Without snow on the turf and with little ice, although in certain areas the sand has taken possession of the turf, the plays have shone for their absence.

Our team has played with the necessary mind against a rival that has offered the visitor the initiative of the game. Because is it a two leg elimination round and given the circumstances, one could not expected more. In the previously mentioned, the Austrians have shielded themselves back and until the minute 17 the first option has not arrived, at the boots of Joseba Etxeberria, the most perceptive yesterday. Two minutes later Ezquerro has been held in the area, but the referee has not indicated anything.

On the other hand, in the first half, Austria has taken its danger on the right and Sionko has culminated an internal in the minute 28, but his centre has been stopped by Lafuente. Orbaiz has had the following option after a good collective play, but his shot has gone outside in the minute 33. Before the halftime, a distribution of occasions, insolvent volley by Sionko in the 43rd and a header by Ezquerro, to a centre by Orbaiz, that has gone high in the 44th.

In second half, the tendency of the first half has been accentuated: the violets back with many players behind the ball and Athletic Club dominating the ball, but without excessive depth and with the added inherent difficulties of the condition of the turf. The attempts have remained with the options that Etxeberria has had. In the minute 56 he has crossed too much with the right and in the 67th he has tried it with the left, but with the same lack of target. In a third option, his cross-shot has not found anyone.

Austria, on the other hand, has had very little arrival throughout the match and Sondergaard has performed his changes trying to gain in speed. Gilewitz has gone out, and in his boots has been the best local option, but his shot has been intercepted by Lafuente. With 15 minutes to go both teams, one assumes that for different reasons, have decided to leave it for Sunday. With the hope that in San Mamés everything will be different, the interminable Austrian adventure has ended.