First Division - Day 36

Athletic Bilbao 2 - Celta 1

Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Bóveda, Etxeita (Iturraspe 59’), Balenziaga; San José, Beñat; Susaeta, Raúl García, Muniain (Williams 59’); Aduríz (Viguera 86’). 4-2-3-1.
Celta: Sergio Alvarez; Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Sergi Gómez, Jonny; Marcelo Díaz (Planas 69’), Daniel Wass (Guidetti 82‘); Orellana, Pablo Hernández, Nolito; Iago Aspas (Radoja 55‘). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 13. Orellana. Ran on to long ball and steered shot under legs of Iraizoz.
1-1. 38. Aduríz (penalty). After Cabral pulled down Aduríz inside penalty area.
2-1. 72. Raúl García. Lifted shot over Sergio Alvarez whilst lying on the ground.

Yellow cards: Marcelo Díaz 28’, Cabral 37’, Orellana 42’, Raúl García 45’, Pablo Hernández 90’ / red cards: Cabral 40’.

Athletic Bilbao beat Celta 2-1 in this Sunday’s mid-day game to move above the Galicians to fifth. The visitors had the better chances early on, and with just under a quarter of an hour on the clock Orellana ran on to a long ball from midfield to force a shot past Iraizoz. However with seven minutes to go to the break Aduríz made it all square from the penalty spot after Cabral pulled him down in the area, and before the half time whistle Celta were left with ten men when Cabral was red-carded for a retaliatory kick on the striker as he lay on the floor. Soon after the restart Raúl García crashed a long shot against the upright, and a few minutes later he scored what was to prove the winner, cleverly hooking the ball past Sergio Alvarez whilst lying on the ground after battling for a Williams cross. Berizzo immediately went for broke bring on Guidetti, and Iraizoz had to be at his best to keep out the Swedish striker near the end. A key win for Athletic though, and they get the edge on their rivals for that fifth spot which gives direct access to the Europa League, thereby avoiding the tricky qualifying stage.