Levante UD - Athletic Club

In a game that could have gone either way, Athletic Club were held to a draw by Levante UD. The Lions were much improved in the second half thanks to the changes made by Marcelino. Winger Nico Williams looked particularly dangerous after coming on and had two good opportunities to give Athletic the win.

Athletic’s first chance came five minutes into the game. Iñigo Martínez got a head on Iker Muniain‘s free-kick but the defender’s effort went narrowly wide.

Neither side was able to get the upper hand in the first 45. Levante were often camped on the edge of Athletic’s box, but good defensive work meant Unai Simón had little to do.

A couple of fine Raúl García passes almost saw Iñaki Williams go through on goal. In the 22nd minute, and after a lengthy VAR review, the referee decided not to award Athletic a penalty when José Campaña’s elbow struck Yeray in the face during a corner.  Before the half-time whistle, Alex Berenguer crossed for Unai Vencedor in a good move that ended in a corner.

The rain started to pour down in the second half, and the Lions’ intensity seemed to grow with that of the rain. Although Levante threatened and Jorge De Frutos produced a great save from Simón, Marcelino’s side gradually took control of possession and began to dominate the affair.

The Athletic coach introduced homegrown players in Oihan Sancet, Oier Zarraga, Nico Williams and Asier Villalibre. All four had an immediate impact, linking up well and creating chances up front. Nico Williams was especially lively, regularly turning his opposite number inside out on the left flank, and forcing Daniel Cárdenas into action.

Villalibre was taken off in the 86th minute after pulling up with a suspected muscle injury during a sprint. In the end, the spoils were shared. For Athletic, attention now returns to next Friday and their return to San Mamés, where they’ll face Granada CF at 21:00 CET