Athletic makes it through Mini Estadi

FC Barcelona: Paños; Ane, Ruth, Unzue (min. 73, Gemma), Melanie Serrano (min. 66, Mariona), Miriam, Jenni, Alexia, Torrejón, Leire and Olga (min. 66, Bárbara).

Athletic Club: Ainhoa; Moraza (min. 87, Jone Ibáñez), Paredes, Lizaso, Iraia, Y. Corres, (min. 89, Maddi) Eunate, G. Murua, Ibarra (min. 32, Leia), V. Gimbert and Maite Oroz.

Referee: Albert Ávalos Martos; assisted on the sidelines by Guiller Mensa Moncunill and Daniel Degracia Arnau. Maite Lizaso (min. 83) was sent off due to double yellow as well as Joseba Agirre who was sent off from the bench. The referee also booked Bárbara and the rojiblancas: Maite Oroz, Garazi Murua and Bigen Aróstegi.

Goals: 1-0, min. 22, Miriam; 1-1, min. 52, Melanie, from own goal.

FAQs: 2400 spectators in Mini Estadi.

Athletic Club’s Women’s team obtained a praiseworthy draw against FC Barcelona in the match disputed at Mini Estadi. Miriam gave the Catalan team the lead in the equator of the first half but after the break, Melanie, in an own goal, equalized the game in which several interventions by Ainhoa served for the lionesses to come home from Barcelona maintaining the four-point advantage with respect to Xavi Llorens’ squad.

Alexia and Melanie had the first occasions for the locals, but two good interventions by Ainhoa prevented the azulgranas from scoring. Except for those initial moments, the rojiblancas did not suffer much defensively until the minute 22, in which Miriam finished off a centre from the left wing straight into the goalmouth.

In the second half, Ibarra had the equalizer at her feet, but her shot-on-goal ended up in corner. The rojiblancas were in search of the equalizer and in a cross to the area; Melanie Serrano introduced the ball into Paños’ goalmouth. Joseba Agirre’s squad was not satisfied with the draw and only after Lizaso’ send off in the ’83, it saw that point in danger, but once again thankfully Ainhoa appeared in the few goal attempts the azulgranas had to manage a most important tie to keep the azulgranas four points off on the table.

12:01 Match kicks off

(05′) Well-executed finish from up close by Alexia and spectacular deflection by (22′) 1-0. Goal by Miriam. Good centre from the left which Miriam finishes off with her left
(31′) Good approach by Maite Oroz but straight into Paños’ hands
(33′) Point-blank header by Ruth and great response by Ainhoa, blocking the ball (42′) Two consecutive and spectacular deflections by Ainhoa

13:02 Second half kicks off

(47′) Great stretch by Ainhoa who parried off a shot by Jenni
(53′) 1-1. GOOAAL! Melanie Serrano in an own goal
(82′) Maite Lizaso and Joseba Aguirre sent off due to accumulation of warnings