Madrid CFF - Athletic Club

Athletic Club Women kicked off their 2021-22 Primera Iberdrola campaign with three points and a clean sheet against Madrid CFF at the Antiguo Canñodromo.

With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and on an artificial turf pitch, Iraia Iturregi’s team pulled themselves together in the second half to win 0-2 thanks to two goals from set pieces scored by Garazi Murua and Ane Azkona.

During the first half the Lionesses struggled a lot. As Iturregi said before the game, the Antiguo Canódromo is a complicated, narrow pitch. Madrid CFF tried to take control, but the game was very tight.

The first Athletic chance came from Lucía García in the 15th minute. Madrid’s Geyse Ferreira soon had a chance with a shot across goal. Mariasun Quiñones, making her debut as a Lioness, made a good save from Gabi Nunes’ shot.

The major scare came in the 27th minute when Florencia Bonsegundo hit the crossbar in a passage of play which also left Oihane Hernández injured. Seriously troubled, the Lionesses suffered some more when Nicoli smacked a shot against the post. Only a powerful Paula Arana shot was able to trouble Madrid in the final stretch of the first half.

After the break, Quiñones was assured in goal after another strong attacking move by the opponents. The big break came on the in the 60th minute, Garazi putting the Lionesses ahead with an emphatic header from Nekane’s corner.

The goal gave Iturregi’s team a sense of calmness and confidence, and they gradually settled down at the Canódromo. The 0-2 lead came in the 66th minute when another brilliant Nekane set-piece found Azkona in a one-on-one situation with Paola Ulloa, the Athletic striker getting the better of the keeper.

With a two-goal lead, the team was solid at the back, managing to frustrate Madrid’s forwards. Athletic played a great match and can be happy with a first win of the season as well as the debuts of Quiñones, Itxaso Uriarte and Peke.

Next up on Sunday the Lionesses face Real Sociedad at San Mamés, the first time this fixture has ever been played at The Cathedral.