St.Gallen - Athletic Club

Athletic Club were defeated 2-1 by St. Gallen in their first match of the 2021-22 pre-season. The match took place in front of a beautiful atmosphere, with 6,261 spectators in the stands.

The first friendly served to load the Lions’ legs, which heavy from the triple training sessions. The Williams brothers played together upfront and Iñaki Williams had the first big chance in the sixth minute with a right-footed shot that crashed off the crossbar.

A great run from the younger brother, Nico Williams, and the connection with Iñaki almost made it 0-1 when Nico Serrano‘s left-footed shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

However, Athletic paid dearly for a lack of concentration at corners. The 17-year-old Besio found a dead ball at the far post and beat Jokin Ezkieta. Two runs down the left by Serrano and Iñigo Lekue could have made it level. But once again, another corner from Spaniard Victor Ruiz hurt the Lions. It was Youan who found the top corner with a header.

The Lions pulled one back in the 38th minute when Unai Lopez released Nico Williams on the run and his dangerous cross was deflected for an own goal by Fazliji.

Marcelino made ten changes after the break, keeping only Serrano. Julen Agirrezabala and Alex Petxarroman, two players trained at Antiguoko, made their debuts.

The goalkeeper hardly had any work to do and the ex-Real Sociedad player showed himself to be participative and determined. The best chance of the second half fell to Oihan Sancet with a great back-heel manoeuvre that was saved by the home goalkeeper.

Athletic, who have to face Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday, wore black armbands in memory of former manager Iñaki Arrate.