Athletic show their muscle at Las Llanas

Athletic respect the Copa above everything else and have faced the fixture at Las Llanas as if it were the most important match of the season. And indeed, it was, since all these single-leg knockout games are like a deadly poison. Gaizka Garitano named a starting XI similar to the ones used in league matches and the outcome could not have been better. The final 0-4 result, with braces from Villalibre and Yuri, was a summary of a masterful display of power. The Lions showed their muscle against a Sestao River that did not give up the fight, but could not do anything to prevent the defeat.

The Red and Whites, the same as it happened against Intercity, had a clear chance in the first minute. It was Villalibre, highly active on the pitch, who -with a header from the far post- sent the ball straight into Ibon Barandiaran’s hands after a fine cross from Raúl García. Soon after that, the forward from Gernika provided an assist to Williams at the far post, but Iñaki could not finish it off.

The 0-1 was imminent. Athletic was sharp as a knife on their left flank, where Gago and Villar had already been shown the card, and took advantage of a cunning play to take the lead of the game. Ibai was quick to take a free kick to Yuri and he sent the ball to Asier Villalibre, who scored his first goal as a Lion. It could not have been more opportune.

The Red and Whites were feeling very comfortable on the field at Las Llanas. The group remained strong as a rock and played decisively. They went for Sestao River’s jugular with a superb cross from Íñigo Martínez to Yuri Berchiche, a neat outstep pass. The player from Zarautz was up to the mark and finished it off with an outstanding chip shot.

In the second half, Athletic just got on with it. Sestao had a pair of chances through Leandro and Iván Alonso. The last of them, when they were 0-3 down, was snuffed out by Herrerín’s splendid save. At that moment, with Muniain back on track after his injury and forging chances, Villalibre had already scored his brace, after Williams’ assist, and Yuri’s second goal was about to arrive. It finally came right before the end thanks to an assist from Lekue.