Athletic Club - SD Huesca

Athletic Club defeat SD Huesca 2-0 thanks to goals by Kenan Kodro and Unai Nuñez in the last ten minutes of the match. An invigorating victory for the lions, who have now won four of their last five matches at San Mamés.

It was a tough game, where the chances were few and far between. One of those cagey matches in which both teams almost seemed more afraid of losing points than winning.

In the opening period, Athletic’s Asier Villalibre came close to scoring but he narrowly missed Iñaki Williams‘ cross. At the other end, Ontiveros tested Unai Simón with one of the diagonal efforts he is becoming famous for.

After the restart, Gaizka Garitano’s side took things up a notch. Unai Vencedor came off the bench and once again looked assured in midfield. But the lions were still struggling to make a breakthrough, and in the 55th minute Villalibre was a left with a black eye after a collision with Siovas.

Not long later, Kodro took to the pitch. The forward, who’s only had twelve minutes of gametime this season due to a hand injury, ended up being decisive.

The man from San Sebastian earned a crucial penalty in the 83rd minute and he then stepped up to convert it.

Jon Morcillo linked up with Alex Berenguer, who threaded a pass through for Kodro. Huesca defender Pulido grabbed Kodro’s jersey as the striker shot towards goal. It meant a second yellow for the defender and a spot-kick for Athletic.

With all the normal penalty takers off the pitch, Kodro stood up and made it count. Just reward for all the extra finishing work Kodro does day in, day out at Lezama. His work in the shadows was worth three points this Friday.

Less than a minute into injury-time Athletic got the killer blow. A well-taken corner by Morcillo was met by Nuñez in plenty of space, and the defender headed home. Time for a deep breath, but there’s no time to lose. Next up, Villarreal at El Madrigal on Tuesday 22nd.