Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Osasuna: Los Leones Tame Abject Visitors

Yeste and Llorente scored for the hosts, who dominated from start to finish...

Dec 19, 2009 7:51:02 PM

More On :  Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna
Fernando Llorente, Athletic Bilbao (MARCA)

Athletic Bilbao dominated a poor Osasuna side at the San Mames, and claimed a convincing victory that was never in doubt.
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The San Mames is never an easy place to visit, and it doesn't help when you concede a goal in the first minute. That is exactly what Osasuna did, as Francisco Yeste tucked a rebound home into an empty net after Ricardo had blocked Fernando Llorente's shot.

Llorente was in thick of the action, and Osasuna's nightmare continuted on 12 minutes, when he doubled the hosts' advantage. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he turned Sergio and fired an unstoppable shot into the right hand corner.

It was utter dominance from Bilbao, and Carlos Gurpegi wasted two decent chances to score the third and put the game beyond doubt early into the first half. The onslaught continued, with both Javi Martinez and Llorente also coming close.

Osasuna finally managed a chance on 25 minutes, but Javad Nekounam shot wide. It was completely against the run of play, as Athletic continued to press, with Andoni Iraola failing to make the most of an excellent cross from Toquero. Thus the half ended with Athletic firmly on top, and Osasuna looking unlikely to mount a comeback.

The second half did not contain the frantic start of the first, but the possession still went the same way, and Llorente was proving a constant menace. As the match wore on, however, the hosts seemed content to sit on their lead, safe in the knowledge that there was little to no threat being offered by their opponents.

Ultimately, the second half proved to be a damp squib after the excitement of the first, but Bilbao did more than enough to earn an easy victory. They now move into provisional sixth place, while Osasuna stay in 11th.

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
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