Athletic Club - CD Nacional de Madeira

Athletic Club have consolidated their second place positioning in Group L of the Europa League by defeating CD Nacional by 2-1. Our team’s goals were scored by Etxeberria and Llorente, both during the second half and the visitors’ goal was scored by Rúben Micael, obtained before the break. In the other group match, Austriak and Werder Bremen reached a 2-all draw.

It was a two-faced match, like the weather more or less. In the first half Athletic got off to a good start but the rivals grew as each minute passed by and without too much effort went to the interval with a lead on the board. On the other hand, in the second half Athletic’s superiority was there for all to see, due to the substitutions and one could say aided by the persistent rain. However, this time they were able to convert the goal-scoring opportunities to break their five match losing streak.

In order to face the second match of this new succession of matches, the new faces in the starting eleven line up were those of Ustaritz, Yeste, Gabilondo, Orbaiz, Etxeberria and Castillo. The Red-Whites faced the clash with joy and the Portuguese stayed behind although Micael gave the first warning in the 9th minute of the game. With minds set on the fact that it was only a mirage, the dynamics drove Athletic on in a match with ball control, but with no rhythm or depth. In fact, a defender deflected a goal-scoring opportunity by Susaeta in minute 17 and another opportunity, not so clear by the same player in the 41st minute ended up over the crossbar, is all that can be jotted down in the Red-White journal. These and a foul kick taken by Orbaiz caught easily by the goalie. Light baggage.

On the contrary, the rival grew in stature upon seeing that the lions’ claws were not so sharp. Three things, the strategy used with very tall people (Felipe Lopes finished off a shot with his head which went high), breaks down the wings and quick centre passes especially Patacas (Edgar finished off a header that was quite in his favour but was deflected) and the efforts of Rúben Micael in the centre and between lines. The latter resulted in goal out of a move just like the entire first half, in slow motion, and during the break yesterday’s cold supporters, perhaps because of the early hour during the week, whistled in disapproval. Besides, the conclusion was similar to that of last Sunday in the match against Sporting: on the contrary they didn’t need to do much to cause harm.

During the interval Caparrós sent Javi Martínez to replace Yeste and De Marcos to replace Gabilondo. Without any tactical changes, nevertheless soon after the restart a change in our team’s predisposition could be perceived. Susaeta created the clearest goal-scoring opportunity, sent by Bracali to corner the ball was finished off by Martínez, but went high. Despite this Nacional were still strong and Edgar in the 53rd minute had the first, and only, rival goal-scoring opportunity of the second half. Fortunately the resolution of the counterattack was not so frightening.

Athletic Club scored directly. There was no other choice in order to try and maintain the mathematical advantage within the group. When it came to playing Javi Martínez, with his head, passed the ball onto Llorente whose header struck the crossbar. The rain got worse and Athletic adapted perfectly to the speed that the pitch demanded and which was not so during the first half. Mateus stepped in for Pecnik in minute 65 to try to maintain the freshness in the first line of pressure, but the Red-Whites were unstoppable. Javi Martínez made a break in the 67th minute and he ended up passing the ball to the centre of the area and this in turn was finished off by Llorente, Bracali repelled the ball and there was Etxeberria to push the ball into the back of the net. It was now a draw, which was not bad taking into account the commencement of the encounter, but to move on with greater options of making it to the round of 16 a victory was indispensable.

Toquero was sent in to substitute Etxeberria and this meant more gunpowder and in the middle of the siege the goal-scoring opportunities emerged. So Iraola finished off an angled shot at goal which just missed in minute 76, in the next minute another attempt by Llorente was repelled by the goalkeeper and Toquero found the back of the net, but he was off-side. Machado had made the couple of substitutions that he had left, but the match did not return to the rhythm of the first half. De Marcos finished off with a header in minute 82 of the game, but a defender was able to deflect it from under the posts.

Time was running out, but not the will to win or the persistence, this time; the rewards were reaped when the umpteenth ball cleared by the Portuguese defence was sent to the area by Orbaiz with a header. Llorente was able to control it, turned around and scored from below. Delirium in the stands with only four minutes to go. Joy in the end and a relief after having lost five consecutive matches. Everything will do us good to affront the league match on Sunday against Getafe whilst keeping more than alive the European dream.