Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, San José, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Erik Morán (Etxeita 84’); Susaeta (Albizúa 85’), Ander Herrera (Beñat 76’), Muniain; Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Willy Caballero; Eliseu, Angeleri, Weligton, Antunes; Camacho, Sergi Darder; Juanmi, Pablo Pérez (Iakovenko 46’), Amrabat (Portillo 77’); Santa Cruz (Rescaldani 77’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 04. Aduríz. Steered near post header past Caballero from Susaeta corner.
2-0. 46. Aduríz. Got on the end of Susaeta cross to turn ball in to net on far post.
3-0. 62. Ander Herrera. Struck shot through legs of keeper after corner came out.
Yellow cards: Pablo Pérez 41’, Weligton 45’, Juanmi 56’, Iakovenko 81’.
Athletic Bilbao took another step towards tying up the fourth Champions League spot after beating Málaga 3-0 on Monday night. Aduríz headed them in to the lead in the fourth minute from Susaeta’s corner, and for the rest of the first half they were on top, Aduríz shooting just wide when free on goal, and Caballero saving from San José and Muniain. Just a minute after the break Aduríz got his second of the night after Iraola turned Ander Herrera’s pass across goal, and although Darder headed just wide at the other end, Herrera made it three with a low shot following a corner which went through the legs of the visiting keeper. Schuster’s side had no response, and Muniain felt himself unlucky not to be given a penalty when Eliseu brought him down later on. The result ends Málaga’s run of three away wins in a row, and keeps Valverde’s team six points ahead of fifth placed Sevilla in the table.