Real Betis - Athletic Club

Athletic Club drew 2-2 against Real Betis Balompié at the Benito Villamarín. Iñaki Williams and Raúl García put our team ahead on the scoreboard after a brilliant start to the match. However, in the second half, two goals from Bartra and Canales brought the score back to level.

It was a two-sided match, and a two-sided draw, on a hot afternoon in Seville. Beyond the debate, relatively easy to resolve, about the suitability of playing a match of any kind in temperatures over 35 degrees, Athletic played an excellent first half and continued what they had shown against Real Madrid.

In contrast, after Markel Susaeta had picked up his second yellow card in the dying moments of the first half, the home side made the most of their ball handling and translated their superiority into two goals. It was difficult for our team to maintain the footballing commitment of the first half and even more so after conceding the first goal shortly after coming back from the dressing room from a long-range shot by Bartra.

The equaliser also came and there was still a world to play for, but our team pulled on their courage to take a point that they undoubtedly deserved. And as LaLiga doesn’t stop, on Wednesday Villarreal CF come to San Mamés, a powerful opponent against whom they will try to, at the very least, remain unbeaten. Susaeta, who is suspended, will be absent.