Racing Santander 0-2 Athletic Bilbao: Los Leones Two Good For Sorry Hosts

A goal in either half proved enough to hand Athletic Bilbao an excellent away win versus Racing Santander in the Primera Division this afternoon.

Carlos Gurpegui nodded home on the half hour mark before Andoni Iraola secured the points with a penalty kick, and the result means Racing have now gone five home matches without a victory this season.

Racing boss Juan Carlos Mandia has found himself under pressure following a below-par to the start to the season and Mandia, who replaced the departed Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz, was desperate to secure his maiden home win in charge.

However, despite his team more than holding their own for the majority of the first half, poor defending caused them to fall behind after half an hour of play.

Bilbao took advantage of a set-piece, with Xabier Castillo swinging in a teasing delivery, and Carlos Gurpegui was given the relatively simple task of nodding the ball into the net from ten yards, and the Basque side were in front.

Racing look to be a side extremely low of confidence, and despite fashioning some decent openings, they never really threatened to break down an organised and disciplined Bilbao side.

The visitors also looked dangerous on the break as Racing came out in the second period with the intent to attack, despite the absence of Fernando Llorente, and after they weathered a brief rally from Racing, they clinched the match from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining.

Ion Velez burst into the penalty area and drew a challenge from Mehdi Lacen, who tripped Velez in full flight and gave the referee no alternative but to award the spot kick.

Andoni Iraola stepped up to lash home the penalty and put the game beyond any doubt, leaving the Racing faithful more than slightly concerned that their side’s poor home record was set to continue.

There was to be no late rally from Mandia's side, who remain precariously positioned above the relegation positions, while Bilbao solidified their top half status with a win that was slightly more straightforward than they would have expected.

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com