Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San José, Mikel Rico; Susaeta (Ibai Gómez 80‘), Unai López (De Marcos 34‘), Muniain (Iñaki Williams 65‘); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Toño (Cristian Alvarez 46’); Tito, Zé Castro, Amaya, Nacho (Morcillo 46‘); Fatau, Jozabed; Licá, Alberto Bueno, Kakuta; Leo Baptistao (Manucho 67‘). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 86. Aduríz. Steered shot past Alvarez after Balenzaiga headed ball back.
Yellow cards: San José 20’, Nacho 23’, Fatau 59’, Aduríz 78’, Mikel Rico 83’.
Athletic Bilbao won 1-0 against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, and they end the weekend in mid-table, level on points with neighbours Eibar and Real Sociedad. Valverde’s side dominated for much of the match, Toño saving an Aduríz header and Unai López shooting wide in the opening minutes. Kakuta responded with a shot wide and a long free kick which Iraizoz had to keep out, but Toño had to make further saves from Laporte and Mikel Rico, and Rico got the ball in the net only for the strike to be disallowed for a questionable offside decision. Williams came on to test Cristian Alvarez, who had replaced the injured Toño at the break, and he and Rico went close later on in the second half. However it was not until four minutes from the end that Athletic finally got the winner, Aduríz turning a shot past the keeper after Balenziaga headed the ball back to him.