Olympique Marseille - Athletic Club

Olympique de Marseille 0 – Athletic Club 1

Athletic Club defeated Olympique de Marseille by 0-1 at Vélodrome Stage. Astonishing goal by Aritz Aduriz in the minute 54 of play allows the team to face the second leg of the qualifying round with a small advantage which will be disputed in a week’s time in San Mamés.

The first half has been level. Both teams doubled their efforts to prevent the rival’s evolution and the occasions have been conspicuously absent. However, in the second half it was a different, a more dynamic game was seen. Williams had the first clear goal occasion, but it was Aritz Aduriz who was in charge of materializing the goal of the day by means of an astonishing volley with the right from outside the area.

From that point on, Athletic found more holes, but couldn’t materialize its occasions. Facing them was OM trying to move up its lines. But except for an occasion in which Balenziaga parried off a ball enough to hit the post, the rojiblancos’ defensive work has been optimal.

Awaiting a difficult second leg match, in which Beñat will not be available as he was booked with a third yellow card, Sunday the Liga returns to San Mamés with the derby against Real Sociedad. Etxeita will not be available for this match as well due to a sanction, but for now the priority is to rest and recover from this tough European effort.