Athletic held to draw at San Mamés
Athletic held to draw at San Mamés
Athletic went close to completing the comeback against Granada after a second half in which they equalised thanks to a Maximiano own goal caused by Muniain’s tenacity
Athletic Club drew 2-2 against Granada CF at San Mamés in a game in which the Lions deserved more after an improved performance in the second half.
Marcelino’s went ahead early on courtesy of a Raúl García strike, but Granada, whose manager Robert Moreno was in the stands due to a one-match ban, overturned the Lions’ lead before the break after Darwin Machís and Jorge Molina finished off a couple of counter-attacks.
Athletic managed to level in the 76th minute after a goalmouth scramble started by Iñaki Williams and Iker Muniain saw the visitors’ keeper Luis Maximiano put the ball in his own net.
Things could not have started better. In the 10th minute, Muniain stole a pass from Angel Montoro and squared for Raúl García to slot home. The Nazaríes were struggling, but they managed to pull one back thanks to the speed of Darwin Machís, who broke away with power and fired a left-footed shot past Unai Simón to equalise in the 24th minute.
The goal hurt Los Leones, who conceded again nine minutes later. Another counter-attack with Jorge Molina pushing the ball under the body of Simón after a series of rebounds.
Athletic came out with renewed energy after the break. Raúl, with a long-range lob, hit the crossbar in the 57th minute. What’s more, the introduction of Iñaki Williams and Oier Zarraga helped the Lions take the fight to Granada.
The visitors suffered a constant barrage of Athletic attacks. Zarraga forced Maximiano into action with a whipped effort from outside the box. The equaliser came in the 76th minute after Iñaki controlled a long ball in the box, Muniain then got a touch and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble the ball ricocheted off Maximiano before crossing the line.
With San Mames on the edge of their seats, Maximiano was on hand to deal with shots from Muniain and Iñigo Martínez. The defender was sent off in the 97th minute after a VAR review and will not be able to play at the Bernabéu.