Athletic Club - CA Osasuna

Athletic Club fell to a 1-0 defeat to Osasuna at San Mamés courtesy of a goal by Oier Sanjurjo in the 22nd minute. The Lions enjoyed two clear chances in the final stage of the match: one from Capa that Sergio Herrera brilliantly saved with his hand and a magnificent header from Aduriz that bounced off the bottom of the post behind a motionless goalkeeper.

The Lions are anchored to the middle of the table and will have to recover on their visit to Deportivo Alavés. After the initial minutes, when Villalibre’s mobility made everybody think they would easily open spaces in the visitors’ defence, Athletic started to be neutralized by Osasuna, who made the most of a set piece in which Oier kicked the ball into the net after a save from Simón.

Unai Vencedor was making his first-team debut after a whole life as a player with Santutxu. He showed his set-piece potential on occasions such as the corner netted by Williams that was disallowed as Raúl García had hindered Osasuna’s goalkeeper.

The second half was livelier, although the visitors moved back on the pitch and looked at Simón from a distance. A foul was claimed when an Osasuna player touched a ball with his hand after a shot from Williams and, right afterwards, Vencedor hit the post with a direct free kick that was deflected by the wall.

It was in the last fifteen minutes when Gaizka Garitano’s lads created their best chances. Williams headed a great cross from Iñigo Martínez into Herrera’s hands and, on 89 and 92 minutes, the greatest opportunities from Capa and Aduriz took place. We will have to try harder in our next league match on the road.