Athletic Club Edges Out Alaves in a Nail-Biter
Wow, what a game! Athletic Club snatched a crucial 1-0 win against Deportivo Alaves in a seriously tense Basque derby. This keeps them firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot, sitting pretty in the top five of La Liga. It wasn’t a walk in the park, though. San Mamés was electric, but it felt like we were watching a chess match for much of the game. Athletic controlled the ball, sure, but Alaves' defense was like a brick wall.
This win feels especially sweet after their Europa League exit. You could see the grit and determination in every tackle.
A Real Battle on the Pitch
Alaves, coming off a tough loss to Real Madrid, were surprisingly confident. Two minutes in, they almost scored! Absolute chaos in the Athletic Club box, and Ander Guevara's shot was an absolute screamer – only Unai Simon's brilliant save kept it out. Athletic were missing some key players – the Williams brothers and Berenguer were absent – and it showed early on. They were struggling to create clear chances and their penalty appeals for a foul on Maroan Sannadi were dismissed by the ref. The frustration was palpable, but they kept pushing.
First Half Highlights: Aingeru Olabarrieta's crosses were causing havoc, Mikel Jauregizar had a couple of shots that were close, and there were several corners that almost led to goals. Alaves' game plan was pretty clear – park the bus and hope for a counter. It was frustrating to watch at times.
Despite all the pressure – Yeray Alvarez hit the post with a header, Dani Vivian's shot flew wide – it was 0-0 at halftime. Honestly, I was starting to think this was going to be one of those games.
The second half was more of the same, but Athletic were relentless. Then, around the 20-minute mark, BOOM! A beautiful one-two between Oihan Sancet and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta led to Gorka Guruzeta's shot. It was a bit scuffed, but it deflected off Manu Sanchez and into the net – an own goal!
The Turning Point: Bringing on Guruzeta and Unai GĂłmez added some much-needed width and attacking impetus. Sancet's presence in the second half really changed the dynamic. Alaves did bring on some attacking players like Villalibre, but they couldn't really mount a comeback.
Unai Simón, Athletic's keeper, had a relatively quiet game – not a single shot on target. That unbeaten home run at San Mamés continues! Now at 15 league games without a loss at home. They’re really making that stadium a fortress.
This win keeps them three points ahead of Villarreal in the race for Champions League football. The pressure's definitely on, but they’re handling it.
What it All Means
This victory underscores Athletic Club’s incredible home form and their unwavering commitment to securing a top-four finish. The absence of key players meant manager Ernesto Valverde had to rely on academy players, which just shows the incredible youth talent coming through the club. For Alaves, it's a setback in their battle against relegation – their buffer is now just a single point. Every game is a must-win now.
Man of the Match: Mikel Jauregizar deservedly took home the Man of the Match award. What a performance!
The Final Whistle
Athletic Club's victory was a testament to their resilience. It wasn’t exactly a thrilling goal fest, but it was a tactical battle, a fight for every inch. Athletic's persistence and adaptability in the second half earned them the win. Alaves, meanwhile, face a tough fight to stay in La Liga.
