Athletic Club - RCD Mallorca
Matchday 4
Liga

Athletic Club - RCD Mallorca

Athletic Club
Athletic Club
20
RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
  • 68' Vivian
  • 74' Williams

LocationSan Mamés , Bilbao

14.566 assistants

Athletic aim high

Vivian and Iñaki Williams round off a great night in which Marcelino’s side go top of LaLiga Santander

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Athletic Club are on the up in LaLiga and they’re aiming high. The Lions defeated RCD Mallorca 2-0 in Bilbao on Saturday night. It was a match which Athletic grew into and they overran the Balearic islanders in the second half.

Goals by centre-back Dani Vivian, with a precise header for his first senior goal, and Iñaki Williams, both courtesy of Iker Muniain assists, allowed the Lions to end the night top of the LaLiga Santander table.

Marcelino’s side now have two wins on the bounce. It is the first time in over a year Athletic have achieved this, something that was becoming a psychological burden.

What’s more, despite this being just the fourth match of the season, their is a feeling the team is growing. Finishing the game with Nico Williams, Nico Serrano, who was subbed on to make his debut, Oier Zarraga, Dani Vivian and Asier Villalibre speaks of the present and future.

In the final eleven, with the exception of Iñigo Martínez and Mikel Balenziaga, all the players have come up through the academy at Lezama.

The match was not easy, an undefeated Mallorca arrived looking to take all the pace out of Athletic’s game. However, the Lions did not allow it and put on an electric spectacle for the 14,566 fans in attendance at San Mamés.

Iñaki Williams, in his 300th game as a Lion, began to make trouble upfront in the first half. Iker Muniain had a header, as did Iñigo Martínez. The Rojiblancos had plenty of chances to take the lead before the break, but the best was to come in the second half.

A triple substitution on the hour brought renewed energy. And it was Vivian who opened the scoring with a determined header from Muniain’s free-kick in the 67th minute. The two centre-backs have now scored at San Mames this year.

Athletic went on the hunt for a second. Nico Williams, who looked dangerous coming off the bench once again, linked up with the captain, before his left-footed shot went wide at the far post.

It was Muniain who set up Iñaki Williams for his second goal of the season. Williams’ outstretched leg diverting Muniain’s flat cross into the net. The striker then went close to getting a brace after a great pass across the box by his brother.

The introduction of youth player Nico Serrano was the last gift of the night for a dedicated crowd.

Next up we visit the Wanda and Atletico Madrid. It’s on.