Athletic Club - Real Sociedad

Athletic Club draws at one against Real Sociedad in a jam-packed San Mamés where fans were not surprised by the outcome considering the little game that unfolded by both teams, despite the bitter taste of victory that escaped in the final moments. Excessive confidence has perhaps been Athletic’s worse enemy, as they haven’t known how to finish off the match they were facing.

Before the match that inaugurated the Liga, Julen Guerrero received a simple, but especially warm tribute for his career path as a red and white. The Cathedral has said goodbye to their captain with one of the most rumbling ovations anyone can remember as did the players who also transmitted their warmth to Julen on such a special occasion. After the starting whistle, the emotions of the pre-match activities gave way to the absence of game and only the ardour of the derby maintained the encounter afloat in a night full of premier debuts (Sarriegi, Javi Martinez, Gabilondo, and Garmendia.)
Gari had the first chance, halted by Aranzubia in the 16th minute and, in the 19th, Orbaiz gave away his position to Murillo, as he couldn’t practically move due to an earlier blow to his right leg.

Lacking goals, the sauce and pepper was added by assistant referee Undiano Mallenco as he called the penalty on Labaka when it was actually Aduriz who handed the ball inside the area. Aduriz himself took advantage of the unusual arbitration favour and turned it into the 1-0 in the minute 37. In the 38th, a shot at goal by Kovacevic made Aranzubia work, and in the 39th Gabilondo had an option from an Aduriz cross, but wasn’t able to place it in the mouth of the goal.

In the second half, Aranburu replaced Novo, even though things hadn’t changed much, not to say at all. The rojiblancos had the chance to score a second goal when a cross by Yeste was shot out by Aduriz. Meanwhile the visitors had the ball, but with horizontal moves and without creating much danger.

Felicio substituted Gari in the 66th minute and, three minutes later, Dañobeitia did so for Etxeberria. Athletic had problems guessing their specific counter moves, even though in the 75th minute Gabilondo made Riesgo work. Garmendia entered for Javi Martinez in the 77th and Diaz de Cerio for Kovacevic in the 79th. It became clear that the team from Donosti gave up playing a high game and betted instead for vertical positioning, even though it had no concrete results on the short term. Unfortunately, when the inertia of a match with few goal occasions and arrivals to the area seemed to grant Athletic the three points, Aramburu, coming from the back, finished off a pass from Prieto down the right. The draw could be considered just, but at that moment it left a bitter taste. The certainty that there is still a lot of work ahead was there even with the 1-0 in favour.