Bitter sweet

Levante 1 – Athletic Club 1

Levante: Paños, Maider, Ruth, Mariajo, Alicia, Nerea, Fernández, Anabel, Alba, Alexia and Bernauer.

Athletic: Ainhoa, Itsaso (min. 50, Erika), Nekane, Murua, Iraia, Orueta (min. 92, Beristain), Olabarrieta, Ibarra, Saioa, Guru (min. 59, Manu) and Irene.

Referee: Fernández Vidal assisted by Jordan Jorques and Ramírez Gomis. The referee showed a yellow card to the local player, Ruth, and to the rojiblancas, Saioa and Nekane.

Goals: 1-0, min.30, Alexia; 2-0, min. 42, Murua.

Highlights: 300 people in the Polideportivo de Nazaret. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the death of a person connected with the Valencian Academy of Coaches.

Athletic was unable to triumph in the face-off against Levante. Levante scored the first goal in the 30th minute, and three minutes before the end of the first half, Murua drew the match. In the second half, Athletic dominated the encounter, but without creating opportunities for goal to ensure a vital victory and a chance for the title.

Both teams played on an equal level, with scarce occasions to goal. Levante and Athletic had players well-positioned on the field, and Athletic attempted to score with long distance kicks. In the 27th minute on two occasions, Olabarrieta tried unsuccessfully, and two minutes later, Nekane, also unsuccessful in her attempt, to place the sphere into Paños’ net.

Around the 30th minute of the match, the locals scored the first goal with Alicia sending the ball near the defensive line, putting the ball inside of the box near the second post. In close range, Alexia kicked the ball inside the net for goal. Fuentes´ team tried to draw the match in the 40th with a long shot by Nekane that went into the stands but by a short margin. In the 42nd, after a good play from the right side of the field, Nekane made a short pass to Murua, who was located in the box, in which she managed to control the ball and score for Athletic.

In the second half, the first opportunity was for the rojiblancas, which came in the 57th minute. Ibarra passed the ball from the corner and Irene volleyed it close to the second post. However, Paños repelled it from the goal line.

The locals only reached Athletic´s defensive line with many faults that the referee called against Athletic. Las rojiblancas clearly controlled the match, but due to nervousness and inaccuracy, they were unable to score a second time.

Finally, the leader in the standings has a six-point lead, and it is necessary to win against F.C. Barcelona and hope for a setback by the Catalans; before a draw was sufficient, now they need another loss on the part of the azulgranas.

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Athletic Club presents the following starting line-up against Levante: Ainhoa, Itsaso, Nekane, Murua, Iraia, Orueta, Olabarrieta, Ibarra, Saioa, Guru and Irene. On the bench will be Andere, Arranz, Manu, Gangoiti, Paula, Beristain and Erika.

Playing for Levante will be Paños, Maider, Ruth, Mariajo, Alicia, Nerea, Fernández, Anabel, Alba, Alexia and Bernauer. On the bench will be Sandra, Neus, María, Aroa, Sheila and Sara.

Referee: Fernández Vidal assisted on the sidelines by Jordan Jorques and Ramírez Gomis. In the audience will be the Gainza of Minglanilla and the Albacete Athletic Supporters Clubs.

12:01. Match kicks off

(30′) 1-0. Cross by Alicia and shot on goal to the far post by Alexia.
(40′) Shot by Nekane from outside the area that barely misses wide
(42′) 1-1. GOOOAAL! Nekane down the right shoot over I. Murua who beats Paños on the half turn

BREAK

13:03. Second Half kicks off

(50′) Substitution: Erika in for Itsaso
(57′) Corner taken by Ibarra and Irene’s shot on goal is saved by a defence from within the goalmouth
(59′) Substitution: Manu in for Guru
(65′) Saioa booked with yellow
(69′) Ruth booked with yellow
(71′) Nekane booked with yellow
(92′) Substitution: Beristain in for Orueta

FINAL