Athletic Club - Málaga CF

Athletic Club 1-Málaga CF 0

Athletic Club has classified for its 45th Copa semi-final after defeating Malaga CF 1-0, thanks to the goal scored by Aduriz early in the second half.

The rival will be RCD Espanyol, with the first leg scheduled for 11 February at 22:00 hours in San Mamés (a time worthy of semi-finals so as to attract as many spectators as possible), and the second leg on 4 March, at a time yet to be determined.

The rojiblancos have been superior during most of the match and have had other opportunities to score; however, the tight first leg result of 0-0 demanded heightened defence in the final stretch.

Finally, objective achieved and third time lucky against the Andalusian team. Now, along with Athletic Club, the other two semi-finalists, FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF, are the only teams that continue their course in three competitions.

All in all, there’s little time for celebration or rest, since the calendar does not give truce and on Sunday, at 12:00 hours, the Liga returns with the visit to the Levante UD field.