Athletic Club - Real Betis

Athletic Club defeated Real Betis 2-1 at San Mames in a match that looked to be under control at half-time but proved a nail-biter right until the end.

It was an evening packed with emotion: a tribute for Iñaki Williams’ 500 matches, applause and black armbands for Manuel Etura, and the first of five instalments to bid farewell to a club legend, Ernesto Valverde.

The victory had to go Athletic’s way, and it did. With 38 points and nine fixtures remaining, we can dream of looking up the table. The international break will serve to recharge our batteries and helps us focus on our objectives.

The Lions came out hungry. By the time Manuel Pellegrini’s side realised it, they were already two goals down.

Aymeric Laporte and Oihan Sancet threatened Pau López early on, but it was Dani Vivian who opened the scoring, the centre-back hitting the back of the net with a crisp shot from the edge of the box following a lay-off from Iñaki.

Athletic dictated the pace of the game and kept pressing for a second goal. It came just before half-time, in the 44th minute. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta played a perfect ball to Iñaki and the captain sent a low cross into the box which Sancet slotted home.

VAR confirmed he wasn’t offside. Iñaki seemed to be inspired by the trophy he recived from Oscar de Marcos before the match as he provided two assists to put the disappointment of Montilivi behind him.

Real Betis made three changes at half-time and, after Pau López denied Alex Berenguer, the visitors began to find their rhythm. At the other end, Unai Simón pulled off a superb save from Ez Abde.

Five minutes later, in the 74th minute, Pablo Fornals scored with a sensational free-kick. Simón protested that the Betis wall was not at the required distance.

San Mamés held their breath in the immediate aftermath when Cedric Bakambu scored from an offside position. But VAR intervened and Athletic held on to take home three precious points.