Athletic Club - Deportivo Alavés

Athletic Club are clinging on to fourth place, holding on to their advantage after Villarreal's late surge.

This derby victory against Deportivo Alavés, with an own goal by Manu Sánchez in the 71st minute, is a massive boost in a decisive week, which includes away trips to Getafe and Valencia.

The team that worked hardest won. Eduardo Coudet's men were looking for a point but couldn't get forward thanks to the Zurigorri's great defensive work.

Alavés only threatened once, early on in the match. Ander Guevara was thwarted by Unai Simón in a goalmouth scramble.

The Lions, with a line-up full of youngsters due to injuries up front, dominated throughout the match. Alavés, who brought a significant number of fans to Bilbao, struggled to stop Maroan, who was constantly having his shirt tugged and pulled.

Oscar de Marcos set up the forward to go past Facundo Garcés but Maroan went down after cutting inside and having only Antonio Sivera in front of him. At first, it looked like a penalty, but it was not. The forward had stepped on Garcés before tripping over.

Apart from a smart move between Yuri and Álvaro Djaló, a Mikel Jauregizar effort and two clever crosses from Aingeru Olabarrieta, Sivera was rarely troubled.

And it continued like this, despite Yeray and Dani Vivian getting headers from corners, until Oihan Sancet came on. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, the attacking midfielder and Gorka Guruzeta created the goal. The first two linking well, before the latter's shot was deflected goalwards by Alaves defender Manu Sanchez.

Athletic could've killed off the match when Guruzeta played through Maroan, but the forward was denied by a great Sivera save.

The Lions saw out the match with ease. A great afternoon, which brought the Champions League a little closer, although there is still a lot of work to do in the next three games. Bilbao Basket, now European champions, also received a well deserved San Mames tribute before kick-off.