Córdoba: Juan Carlos; Pantic, Deivid, Crespo, Edimar; Krhin, Abel Gómez (Fede Vico 61’); Bebé, Fede Cartabia (Héldon Ramos 71‘), Fidel (Rossi 80’); Andone. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Aurtenetxe; Beñat, San José; Iñaki Williams (Viguera 87‘), Aketxe (Mikel Rico 70‘), Ibai Gómez (Gurpegui 78‘); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 56. Beñat. Shot from outside area which Deivid headed past own keeper.
Yellow cards: Williams 03’, Etxeita 47’, Andone 58’, Fede Vico 81’, San José 85’.
Athletic Bilbao are closing in on seventh spot after a 0-1 victory at bottom club Córdoba on Friday evening, the result taking them level with Málaga pending their game later this weekend. The Andalusians were desperate for points though, and they got off to a good start, Bebé hitting the crossbar with an inswinging corner, and Iraizoz having to keep out a Florin header soon afterwards. Juan Carlos saved from San José and Aduríz at the other end, but Fidel tested Iraizoz again before the break, and then turned a good chance over the bar soon after the restart. Some ten minutes into the second half though Pantic gave the ball away, and Deivid got his head in the way of Beñat’s shot only to see it deflect past his own keeper into the net. Juan Carlos kept his side in the game with first class saves from Ibai Gómez, Williams and Aduríz after that, and Krhin came close to an equalizer with a couple of headers just wide of the mark from dead-ball kicks. Another defeat for the locals though, and with five games to go they remain eight points away from safety.