CD Numancia - Athletic Club

A breather! An important victory achieved by Athletic Club after defeating Numancia 1-2, goals by Cisma for the locals, and comeback win by our team with the goals scored by Toquero in the first half and Llorente at the start of the second. A match filled with options and suffering, a final for the home team that had and still has very little mathematical manoeuvring room, and a revalidation for our team, doomed to add points in order not to suffer and which in the end meant a step towards survival after overcoming numerous adversities.

From clear ball possession and match pace with a claimed penalty on Ocio, a wide header by Llorente in the minute four, turned into the 1-0 after a distant shot by Cisma and second consecutive ill-fated deflection, this time off Aitor Ocio’s leg, which got lodged in Iraizoz’ net. If that was little punishment for such an enthusiastic team, the penalty argued on the part of Llorente in the 13 appeared obvious, and the two almost consecutive cards shown to Ocio, have left Athletic facing an uphill match and lagging behind by the minute 20. It is enough to say that at the break Numancia had committed nine fouls and Athletic Club only two. Something that some perceptive experts will tell us if it’s reasonable to complain about what might be considered unfair or with what eyes it should be seen.

They were the best local minutes, with a shot by Dimas to the crossbar, and during which Athletic had only one objective, to reorganize. After several minutes to see how the game carried out, Caparrós brought in Gurpegi for David Lopez to retake the line of four, leave two men, Llorente and Toquero in front and place three in the midfield: Yeste, Martinez and Susaeta. They did not strike as the strongest, but yesterday’s match saw little ball circulation in the centre circle. After a half hour of game had been consumed, Toquero debuted in the Liga with an amazing goal from the edge of the area, which came at the best time. Numancia landed the blow but lacked response capacity. Even though a shot by Nagore made Iraizoz work, until the break, the initiative and occasions have been for Athletic Club. Koikili, in the minute 36, with a high header and Susaeta, with a driving shot that barely missed wide in the 39.

Both teams faced the start of the second half without changes, but Athletic Club had at least recovered part of their lack of effectiveness of the last few days and, in the minute 48, Llorente held the attack of the defence, took position, and beat Juan Pablo with a level drive. That was the turnaround, but with most of the second half still ahead.

To confront it, the interpretation has been good in spite of the inferiority. Pacheta brought in Quero and Brit with more offensive players and, to make matters worse, Gurpegi has lived a new chapter in this ill-fated season and has once again broken his nose. Another misfortune that he will surely know how to accept with the fortitude that characterizes him. Etxeita replaced him while Numancia tried to create danger, but without achieving it, except for a free-kick by Barkero that went wide in the minute 66, which has been their only offensive worthy of mention.

In the middle of the anguish, the only joy has been seeing Boris get booked with a second yellow in the 67, which allowed our players to maintain the advantage with less anxiety. The distant shots by Nagore have been the only local offensive reference in a clash marked, as earlier stated, by the shortage of combinations in the midfield.

The clearest opportunity has been for Yeste, but Juan Pablo saved it with a good intervention in the minute 75. The later substitutions of attackers on both sides, although with different objective, Lago Junior and Ion Vélez concretely, did not change the situation. Numancia has been incapable and our team now breathes calmer after taking a great step toward survival, though it has been able to sentence the counterattack. Happiness shared in Soria by the hundreds of rojiblanco fans that haven’t stopped supporting our team.

What’s worse is the loss of Javi Martinez and Aitor Ocio due to sanctions, and that of Gurpegi due to injury for the match against Racing, an opportunity to move away from relegation once and for all.