Athletic Club - Deportivo Abanca

Athletic Club beat Deportivo Abanca 2-1 at Lezama, getting their league campaign off to a perfect start.

The victory came in the Lionesses first competitive match back after the Primera Iberdrola was suspended seven months ago.

What’s more the three points were earned in front of a limited crowd attending Lezama and comes before their 2019-20 Copa de la Reina semi-final against EDF Logroño on Wednesday.

Ángel Villacampa’s lionesses came out roaring and were on top throughout the first half, dominating with a direct and aggressive style. With María Díaz and debutant Arana upfront, Athletic had several early chances before going ahead in the 19th minute.

Eunate stole the ball in the press before driving into the area and leaving the ball on a plate for teammate Díaz, who duly scored Athletic’s first goal of the season.

With the lead on the scoreboard, the lionesses continued being dangerous. Oihane, constantly troubling her marker down the right, had a great chance to extend Athletic’s lead but struck off-target.

A minute before the break, the Galician visitors twice looked to equalise but home keeper Andrea de la Nava ensured Athletic went into half-time with a 1-0 lead with two great saves.

After the restart, Andrade levelled the scores after Athletic lost possession in the middle of the pitch. The goal hurt the lionesses, who lost control of the game. Deportivo Abanca took the momentum and made Villacampa’s side suffer, Ainoa Campo even hitting the crossbar with a long-range effort.

Nevertheless, Athletic stuck at it and went 2-1 up when Marta Unzué’s cross from the right was met by Leyre Monente, who put the ball in the back off the net. Monente was making her first senior side appearance since her debut in 2016.
From here onwards the game ebbed on until the final whistle. Three points for Athletic and massive confidence boost ahead of their long-awaited Copa de la Reina semi-final against EDF Logroño on Wednesday.

Athletic Club’s starting XI: De la Nava, Oihane, Naroa, Gimbert, Moraza, Jone Ibáñez, Unzué, Valdezate, Eunate, María Díaz and Paula Arana.