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Athletic won the Basque derby with a suffering that they shouldn't have suffered because they dominated from start to finish, but in the final minutes they let themselves go and conceded a goal to Real Sociedad that tightened the score and caused fear and anxiety in the stands. always committed to her team. The red and white team has settled into the noble zone after a series of games that only most veterans remember. The best thing, however, was that after 90 minutes, in the face of a dog, with a bit of Tangana, as the realistic coach Imanol had wanted, all the footballers said goodbye with hugs while the two fans spread through Pozas to celebrate or mourn together. . No problems of any kind.
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Unai Simón, Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri, Lekue, O. Sancet (Unai Gómez, min. 70), Nico Williams (Malcom Adu, min. 84), Ruiz de Galarreta (Ander Herrera, min. 70), Berenguer ( Muniain, Min. 84), Vesga and Guruzeta (Villalibre, Min. 73)
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Unai Marrero, Álvaro Odriozola (Elustondo, Min. 19), Le Normand, Tierney (Aihen Muñoz, Min. 80), Zubeldia, Brais (Jon Ander Olasagasti, Min. 80), Merino, Arsen Zakharyan, Martín Zubimendi, Barrenetxea (Jon Magunacelaya, Min. 62) and Oyarzabal
Goals 1-0 Min. 29: Berenguer. 2:0 minutes. 42: Berenguer. 2-1 min 87: Oyarzabal.
referee José Luis Munuera Montero
Yellow cards Barrenetxea (min. 60), Merino (min. 90) and Elustondo (min. 92)
With a spectacular atmosphere and only 69 fewer spectators than the record attendance at San Mamés, which took place in last season's cup semi-final against Osasuna, San Mamés hosted a derby with many things at stake, with two teams heading to Europe strive. The win in Bilbao took Real to nine points; Their defeat brought it closer to three, but beyond that the two teams always play something more intangible that only fans of one team or the other can experience, and that is established year after year in the Cathedral or Anoeta. the pride of belonging.
After the nervousness at the start and various inaccuracies that caused both teams to fall, Athletic took over the tone of the game, while Real limped a bit and barely used the red and white area. However, the residents of Bilbao were incorrect when entering the Marrero area. It was only with a free kick from Berenguer, the man taking Iñaki Williams' place, that the home team came dangerously close, but Vesga's header went high.
Vivian heads a ball against Ander Barrenetxea at one point in the game.Javier Zorrilla (EFE)More information
Athletic's threat had to come from the wings, namely the left side. After a race with Nico Williams, Odriozola suffered a puncture and had to leave the field. His successor, Aritz, was broken by the two red and white residents of this area. It was a stunning combination, at full speed, with great precision, starting in midfield, passing through Nico and reaching Yuri, who reached the baseline and looked back. His parallel cross went between Marrero's legs and was pushed almost towards the goal line by Berenguer.
The stands exploded with Athletic's goal, which became even more lively against Real Sociedad, who barely managed to make three passes in a row in midfield, where the pressure of the red and white was fierce and Ruiz de Galarreta became a colossus in the recovery . His approaches to Unai Simón's goal were sporadic and scattered, while his rival tried to speed up the game and avoided taking the ball out from behind as Real pressed. Unai threw long and his team won aerial disputes that gave them second chances.
Athletic looked for the second goal with more conviction than Real looked for the draw, and it came with a shot into the area of Sancet, who was looking for Nico Williams, this time on the right. The red and white striker entered the box looking for Guruzeta, whose shot was blocked by Zubeldia, but the rebound again came at the right time to Berenguer, who placed a soft shot wide of Marrero. The breakthrough was near and Imanol had much to do in the dressing room to lift the spirits of his troops.
But it didn't happen. Athletic remained in control but became a little more cautious after leaving the dressing room. He had the ball and tried not to let go; Realistic efforts to preserve it were in vain. It was only with the changes that the San Sebastian team became refreshed and began to dominate a little more and try more on the wings than inside, where Brais and Merino worked but found no reward.
Perhaps Galarreta's injury made things a little clearer for them, and in desperation – and that was the only way – they pushed Athletic back into their field, although Unai Simón barely had to intervene. In fact, he only managed to get the ball out of the net in the 87th minute when, on a ball that went from side to side, the side center bar almost involuntarily hit Oyarzabal's chest, narrowing the gap on the scoreboard. But it was too late.
Mikel Oyarzabal after scoring for La Real. ANDER GILLENEA (AFP)
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