Sporting: Juan Pablo; Lora, Botía,
Gregory, Canella; Eguren, Rivera; Nacho Novo (Luis Morán 73'); Miguel De
las Cuevas (Carmelo 79'), Diego Castro; Sangoy (Barral 63'). 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, San José, Amorebieta,
Aurtenetxe; Gurpegui, Orbaiz (Iturraspe 87'), Javi Martínez, Gabilondo
(Susaeta 54'); Igor Martínez (Ion Vélez 70'), Llorente. 4-4-2.
Goals:
1-0. 13. De las Cuevas. Hooked ball in to net after
Iraizoz dropped Novo cross.
2-0. 23. Sangoy. Controlled Rivera pass and
turned shot back past keeper.
2-1. 28. Gurpegui. Got behind defence to head
Igor cross down past Juan Pablo.
2-2. 58. Llorente. Made himself space to
head Orbaiz corner wide of keeper.
Yellow cards: Aurtenetxe 34', Amorebieta 50', Gabilondo 53', Novo 54', Gurpegui 73', Eguren 84', Botía 89'.
Athletic Bilbao came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Sporting Gijón, a result which leaves both teams in mid-table on four points from their first three games. Iraizoz did well to keep out an acrobatic shot from Sangoy early on, but he then dropped a cross from the right at the feet of Miguel De las Cuevas, who gratefully hooked the ball in to the empty net. Javi Martínez hit the post at the other end, but a few minutes later Sangoy pulled down Rivera's long ball and beat Iraizoz for the second time with a shot on the turn.
Bilbao pulled one back though five minutes later, Gurpegui running in on the far post to head Igor Martínez's cross down past Juan Pablo. And after the restart Llorente chipped a shot just wide before heading the equaliser past the keeper from Orbaiz's corner. Diego Castro came close to restoring the lead a couple of times later on, but in the end Sporting were more than happy with a point after Juan Pablo pulled out two last minute saves from Javi Martínez and Susaeta.