RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Mallorca 2-0 Athletic Bilbao: Barralets Blast Basques To Maintain Champions League Challenge
The home run just rolls on for the hosts...
| Bet: | Returns: | Betis £25.00 | Draw £32.00 | Bilbao £26.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Betis £26.00 | Draw £32.50 | Bilbao £27.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Betis £26.30 | Draw £32.00 | Bilbao £27.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Betis £25.50 | Draw £32.00 | Bilbao £25.50 |
|
Jan 3, 2010 7:52:11 PM
Mallorca keep their European challenge very much on track with an efficient home win over a lacklustre Athletic Bilbao side.
The hosts deserved their victory after a decent first half showing and a tactically superior one in the second, while Athletic can rue a couple of missed chances and a lack of ambition in the early stages.
After a rip-roaring start both Ruben and Aduriz picked up bookings from Muniz Fernandez for meaty challenges, but their side looked superior nonetheless.
That said, not until ten minutes before the break was there an excellent chance, Aritz Aduriz very nearly punishing his former club after a Ruben ball forward.
Gorka Iraizoz was then called into action just before the interval as the forward yet again powered an effort goalwards, but the Basque stopper was equal to this effort.
Three minutes after the break Mallorca took the lead. Julio Alvarez's effort from outside the area took a deflection off the back and shoulder of Fernando Amorebieta, leaving Iraizoz flat-footed as the ball sailed into the corner of the net.
Seconds later it was so nearly 2-0. Amorebieta once again got in the way of a goalbound effort, this time from Aduriz; Iraizoz had to improvise with an outstretched right foot to hook the ball clear.
Iraizoz was again the saviour as Aduriz pounced on a through ball from Borja Valero to brilliantly shoot into the top of the net, only for the 'keeper to palm it clear.
Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros then brought on young ace Iker Munain on for Gurperi, while on the other flank De Marcos replaced Yeste. This attacking change, though, was not to pay off.
But at the other end we saw an even better chance. Dudu Aouate came off his line too quickly to meet an excellent Athletic counter-attack that culminated in Fernando Llorente firing goalwards, but the excellent Josemi headed the ball off the line.
Just as Athletic were starting to look alive, Mallorca killed their hopes with a superb break of their own. It was a delightful through ball from Borja that met Aritz Aduriz to lob him a finish against his old side.
Athletic's heads went down and the only surprise was that Mallorca did not add more to their tally. Nonetheless it's a seventh consecutive home win for the island side, and one that sees them leapfrog Sevilla into fourth place, level with the Andalucians on 30 points.
Athletic, meanwhile, drop to eighth on 26, one below Getafe.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
What we learned from Man Utd's thrilling fightback
Sir Alex Ferguson's team showed resilience and drive to prove they can hound rivals City all the way in race for the Premier League title
-
Player Ratings: Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
The Reds slumped to their eighth draw at Anfield this season in the Premier League against a resilient Spurs side who, without manager Harry Redknapp, keep their title hopes alive
-
Cartoon: This looks like a job for Super-Webb!
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
-
Scudetto now a two-horse race, but watch Roma go
While the top two continue to give each other a break, the country's most attacking outfit could be just a couple of signings away from becoming a real force
-
World Player of the Week: Eamon Zayed - Persepolis
Join Goal.com in saluting another player worthy of global recognition
Advertisement
Advertisement
