Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Gurpegi, Ramalho
(Ekiza 46'), Iñigo Pérez; Iturraspe, De Marcos; Susaeta, Ibai
Gómez (Llorente 46'), Ismael López; Toquero (Ruíz de
Galarreta 63'). 4-2-3-1.
Slaven: Rodic; Puric, Kokalovic,
Bubnjic, Grgic, Maras; Batarelo, Rak (Pilipovic 81'), Canadjija; Delic (Glavica
59'), Busic (Saban 52'). 5-3-2.
Goals:
1-0. 15. Ismael López. Following up after
Rodic saved shot from Ibai Gómez.
1-1. 19. Delic. Collected ball
with back to goal and beat Gorka with shot on turn.
2-1. 20. Susaeta.
Touched ball past keeper after Isma headed on Toquero cross.
3-1. 67.
Ismael López. Following up after effort from Iñigo came back off
post.
A good start for Athletic Bilbao in this season's Europa League, Bielsa's side beating Croatia's Slaven Koprivnica 3-1 in their first leg tie. With star signing Aduríz side-lined due to an injury, it was another of Athletic's prodigal sons, Ismael López, who was to prove the hero. The ex Lugo forward opened the scoring in the twentieth minute after Rodic blocked a shot from Ibai Gómez, and after Delic equalised, Isma played on Toquero's cross for Susaeta to restore the lead. And midway through the second half Isma was there again to turn the ball back in to the net after a shot from Iñigo Pérez came back off the post, giving his new side a two goal cushion to take in to next Thursday's second leg.