Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Mikel Rico; Susaeta (Aketxe 61’), De Marcos, Muniain (Gurpegi 83’); Aduríz (Guillermo 30’). 4-2-3-1.
Sevilla: Beto; Coke, Nico Pareja, Carriço, Trémoulinas; M’bia (Banega 46’), Krychowiak, Aleix Vidal, Denis Suárez, Vitolo (Gameiro 46‘); Bacca (Iago Aspas 70‘). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 13. Aduríz. Struck volley past Beto from Susaeta cross.
Yellow cards: Aduríz 01’, Nico Pareja 12’, Iturraspe 22’, M’bia 33’, Etxeita 43’, Bacca 57’, Guillermo 91’.
Sevilla came in to their mid-day game at Athletic Bilbao knowing that a victory would take them a point clear at the top of the table after Barcelona’s defeat the day before. However they were beaten 1-0 in the end, and after the rest of the weekend results they now find themselves down in fifth place, albeit still only two points off new leaders Real Madrid. The Andalusians were full of confidence after their big midweek cup win, and Aleix Vidal fired an angled shot just wide early on. However with twelve minutes gone Aduríz got on the end of a Susaeta cross to volley a shot past Beto, and Susaeta and Laporte could have added to the lead soon afterwards with a long shot and free kick which went just wide of the post. There was a blow for Valverde when Aduríz limped off injured with only half an hour gone, but shortly before half time only a full stretch save by Beto prevented Susaeta from scoring the second. Sevilla’s only response up to that point was with a couple of efforts by Denis Suárez, but even though Emery brought on Gameiro and Banega at the break, they only went close after that with a long shot over the top from Trémoulinas. A much needed second win in a row for the Basque side though, and they move away from the danger zone as a result.