RCD Espanyol - Athletic Club

RCD Espanyol 3-Athletic Club 3

Athletic Club has inaugurated its table on away games in the current Liga after drawing (3-3) against RCD Espanyol, in a match filled with alternatives both in the game and the scoreboard. In the first half the hosts were superior in the game and were also able to score two goals. The first, a few minutes into play thanks to Javi Lopez and the second almost at the break after Verdú kicked in a rebound by Iraizoz after a shot by Longo.

In the second half the match took another direction. Aduriz, – who had already headed a ball onto the crossbar – established the 2-1 after striking a header into goal from a free kick taken by Ibai. Llorente returned to the playing field after his presence in the European second leg match in Koprivnica and in his first ball he established the equalizer at two all with twenty minutes still to go.

Athletic Club was once again in control of the match, but as had already occurred in the local’s second goal, a fast counterattack by Longo was good enough to score the 3-2. There were just ten minutes left in the match and in said play the forward was booked with his second yellow for celebrating the goal toward the stands; thus, red card. Shortly after, a cross by Susaeta from the right and great volley by Aduriz to establish the equalizer that would be definitive and that perhaps may not make either side happy, but which means adding points for the second consecutive matchday.

In Cornellá two round figures coincided: Iraola’s 400 matches and Llorente’s 300th donning the Rojiblanco jersey. On the negative side, Iñigo Perez’ sprained ankle and Muniain’s blow to the anterior tibia; all this prior to facing the first match of the UEL Phase Group on Thursday, 20 September, 21:05, in San Mamés against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, our next objective.