Athletic Club 0 – Numancia 2: Good bye to all options

Athletic Club has lost against Numancia (0-2) in a hard-fought match in San Mamés, and thus says good bye to the few direct options they had of classifying for European competition, although the position for the Intertoto Cup is still on eaves. The visitors’ goals have been the work of former red-white player Carlos Merino in the 8th minute and Tevenet from a penalty in the 89th, despite the fact that the initiative and most goal options have been red-white.

While the visiting squad has been compensated for their seriousness and exposition, Athletic Club deserved more than to end the season before its own supporters with a disheartening defeat, more so after a very hopeful season.

In fact, the team started off the match quite well, with an occasion by Tiko in the 1st, but Juanma’s deflection and the melee that followed did not give its fruit, as neither did Arriaga, in the 5th minute, after finishing off a good centre of Iraola with a header. Almost immediately afterwards, Merino, a former home player, has scored after culminating a good counterattack. Despite it all, Athletic did not reduce their persistence with another shot by Tiko from outside the area, a closing by Arriaga and another one by Llorente. All this before the half hour, with a very boring second part of the first period, something logical on the part of the team that was winning, but not so much on the local part.

In second half, Athletic tried it with more zeal, mainly on the right side of its attack; while Numancia fell back and was plagued with cards. Guerrero, who had recently entered, enjoyed the first in the minute 56, Ezquerro had his on the 60 minute mark, Del Horno had another one in the 62, Llorente his in the 63, Solabarrieta with a centre-shot in the 64, Orbaiz in the 66 and Del Horno again in the 72, while finishing off with a beautiful header.

With 15 minutes left in the match, the rojiblancos’ vigour was extinguished, while Numancia, however timidly, was gaining room, so much so that in the 89th minute the area was in such danger that Athletic was booked with a doubtful penalty that Tevenet later transformed into a goal. With everything sold, Juanlu has sent a ball to the crossbar in the injury time. It would have been excessive punishment for what was actually seen on the field.

In the end, a bitter and anticipated good bye to Del Horno and Gurpegi, as they were each booked with a fifth yellow card.