Athletic Club v Osasuna Live Commentary & Result, 2023/04/04, Copa del Rey

That's all for today, goodbye!

Osasuna will not be overly pleased with their performance, but that will not be on their minds as they progress to their second Copa del Rey final. They will face either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the final. Athletic Bilbao will be very disappointed following their performance, but they now need to bounce back in the league, starting with a trip to Espanyol.

Athletic completely dominated the first half and got their reward in the 33rd minute as Inaki Williams scored his first goal of the calendar year. Vesga won the initial header from Muniain's corner and the attacker was on hand in the six-yard box to poke the ball past Herrera. The second period was once again controlled by the hosts, but Herrera made four saves to take the game to extra time. Athletic continued to push in extra time, with Vesga almost scoring himself from a header, but Herrera was not going to be beaten easily. Osasuna then silenced the home crowd when Ibanez volleyed the ball home from the edge of the box in the 116th minute. The goal came from nowhere but Los Rojillos were able to secure the 2-1 win on aggregate.

120' + 2' FULL TIME: ATHLETIC BILBAO 1-1 OSASUNA (1-2 ON AGGREGATE)

120' + 1' Almost every Osasuna player is behind the ball as they are just seconds away from reaching their second Copa del Rey final ever.

120' There will be a minimum of two additional minutes.

118' Athletic are throwing everyone forward now as they need to score another goal if they want a chance of going to the final.

Moncayola

Assist

116' Moncayola is given far too much time in the box and he picks out Ibanez making a late run into the box. The defender shoots first-time on the volley to give Osasuna the lead on aggregate!

Pablo Ibáñez

Goal

116' WHAT A GOALLL!!! 1-1 OSASUNA!!! IBANEZ!!! Ibanez scores a volley from the edge of the box to all but secure Osasuna a spot in the final! He side-foots the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Wow!

113' De Marcos shows great determination to track back and regain possession after losing the ball moments earlier. Athletic are pushing hard for a second goal.

Malcom Adu

Oihan Sancet

111' Malcom replaces Sancet for the final few minutes of this game as Athletic search for a winner.

109' Sancet drives down the right wing and wins a corner for Athletic. Berenguer takes the set-piece but fails to beat the first man.

107' Herrera claims the ball with ease after a poor cross from Berenguer. Osasuna are already sitting back and frustrating the hosts.

105' Osasuna get the final 15 minutes underway in this semi-final!

Athletic still look more likely to score, but you would expect both sides to have one more big chance in this game. As the minutes continue to tick by, Osasuna will drop deeper into their half and try take this game all the way to penalties.

105' + 2' HALF-TIME: ATHLETIC BILBAO 1-0 OSASUNA (1-1 ON AGGREGATE)

105' + 2' Inaki Williams is not happy with the referee as he is not awarded a foul following a collision just outside the box with Aridane.

105' There will be a minimum of two additional minutes.

104' The Athletic fans are doing their best to spur their team on here as the hosts still look the better side. Osasuna are doing well to see the minutes out.

102' Barja is asking for a corner after his effort is deflected behind, but the referee awards a free-kick in the other direction for a handball by the striker.

Pablo Ibáñez

Aimar Oroz

100' Ibanez comes on for Oroz to give Osasuna more defensive security.

Oier Zarraga

Muniain

99' Muniain makes way for Zarraga as the hosts freshen up the attack.

Álex Berenguer

Nico Williams

99' Berenguer replaces Nico Williams on the left wing for Athletic.

98' Muniain has created 10 chances in the Copa del Rey this season, more than any other player in the competition.

96' SAVE! Herrera makes another crucial save for Osasuna! Vesga wins the header at the front post from Muniain's corner and guides it inside the right post, but the goalkeeper gets down quickly and palms the ball away.

Oihan Sancet

Yellow Card

94' Sancet is shown a yellow card for a tactical foul that stops an Osasuna counter-attack.

92' Nico Williams bursts down the left wing and passes to Berchiche on the edge of the box. The defender shoots but cannot beat the first defender ahead of him.

90' Extra time is underway at San Mames!

Dani Vivian

Yeray

90' Vivian replaces Alvarez in the Athletic defence heading into extra time.

Both sides are struggling in the league and a win in this game could give them momentum in LaLiga too. Osasuna will need to make an attacking change or two to balance this game out for the next 30 minutes.

Nico Williams had two great chances to put Athletic ahead on aggregate in the second half, but he failed to hit the target with either attempt. Herrera made a total of four saves in the 90 minutes, all of them of great importance. Osasuna showed a bit more attacking intent than they did in the first half, but the hosts were will the far better team in the second period.

90' + 3' END OF 90 MINUTES: ATHLETIC BILBAO 1-0 OSASUNA (1-1 ON AGGREGATE)

90' + 2' Muniain puts in an in-swinging corner, but Herrera takes initiative and punches the ball out of the box.

E. Ávila

Kike García

90' Avila comes on for Kike Garcia to lead the Osasuna attack.

90' There will be a minimum of three additional minutes.

89' CHANCE! The ball deflects into the Athletic box and Barja is first to it. He shoots with his left foot, but his effort goes straight at Agirrezabala! Big chance wasted.

87' SAVE AND MISS! Herrera makes a great save to stop Raul Garcia's volley and Nico Williams' rebound flies over the bar! The goalkeeper is Osasuna's hero at the moment.

85' Athletic have lost their rhythm and now struggling to breakdown the Osasuna low block.

Manu Sánchez

Moi Gómez

83' Gomez walks off the pitch to run down the clock while Sanchez comes on for Osasuna.

Raúl García

Gorka Guruzeta

81' Athletic make their first change of the game as 36-year-old Raul Garcia replaces Guruzeta.

79' You can sense the nerves inside the stadium as the home fans are not as confident as they were earlier in the match. Extra time will probably suit Osasuna more than Athletic.

77' Osasuna are having a good spell of possession, but they still cannot get close to the Athletic goal. It has been a poor attacking display from the away team so far.

Kike Barja

Yellow Card

75' Barja goes into the referee's book after pulling the shirt of Muniain.

73' SAVE! Herrera comes through for Osasuna again as he stops Martinez from scoring! The defender takes a touch at the far post before shooting, but the goalkeeper comes out and smothers the shot.

72' Athletic are piling the pressure back on Osasuna now as they can sense a late goal to take them to the finals.

70' HUGE MISS! Nico Williams misses a great opportunity for Athletic! Inaki Williams squares the ball to him in the box, but the winger leans back while shooting and misses the target! Big let off for Osasuna.

68' The tempo of the match is slowing down as both sides do not want to concede a late winner knowing that they could take the game to extra time.

Kike Barja

A. Ezzalzouli

66' Barja comes on for Ezzalzouli in attack for the away side.

D. Brašanac

Rubén García

66' Brasanac replaces Ruben Garcia as Osasuna's first change of the game.

65' Martinez goes for goal with a diving header from Muniain's low free-kick, but the defender fails to test Herrera with his attempt.

63' Osasuna are committing more players forward when attacking to try and pin Athletic in their own half, but the visitors are having the same problems in the final third.

61' Athletic win their 10th corner of the game and Muniain takes the set-piece again. He aims for Martinez near the penalty spot, but Osasuna manage to stop the cross.

59' CHANCE! Alvarez almost doubles Athletic's lead with a diving header, but his effort goes just over the bar! No one at the near post can get on the end of Muniain's corner, so it goes through to the defender. Herrera could do nothing but watch the ball sail over his goal.

57' Sancet can continue for Athletic and play resumes.

56' The referee stops play as Sancet receives treatment from the physios.

54' Sancet intercepts the ball high up the pitch and tries to play Inaki Williams in on goal, but the pass is slightly overhit and goes out for a goal kick.

52' Osasuna are playing more progressive passes but they are not taking enough risks in the final third to trouble the Athletic backline.

50' Inaki Williams draws a clever foul near the halfway line to take some of the pressure off his side. Both teams are prioritising defending at the moment.

48' Osasuna are starting the second period with more intent, but Athletic seem comfortable when defending. The hosts are playing more cautiously compared to how they began the match.

46' Osasuna get the second half underway at San Mames!

The Athletic front four were very good in that first period, especially Nico Williams. Whenever the ball was at his feet, he looked to take on his marker and get the ball into the box. Osasuna do not look like they will score in this match as their attack has no fluidity to it.

45' + 3' HALF-TIME: ATHLETIC BILBAO 1-0 OSASUNA

45' + 2' Muniain sends in the cross, but it goes over the head of all the Athletic players and Nico Williams fails to get the ball back into the box.

45' + 1' Sancet draws a foul in a good position after Cruz catches the midfielder's foot.

45' There will be a minimum of two additional minutes.

Lucas Torró

Yellow Card

43' Torro receives a yellow card after a dangerous challenge on Sancet.

41' OFFSIDE! Inaki Williams puts the ball in the back of the net again, but he is offside! Nico Williams picks him out with a lofted pass, but the attacker makes his move too soon.

39' Muniain takes an out-swinging corner for Athletic, but it does not lead to a goal this time as Osasuna defend with more numbers in the box this time.

37' Osasuna are trying to calm proceedings down but Athletic are refusing to take their foot off the gas. The hosts want to take the lead on aggregate as soon as they can.

35' Athletic have avoided defeat in their last 16 matches when scoring the opening goal in the Copa del Rey (Round of 32 onwards) dating back to 27th January 2016 against Barcelona (L1-3).

Mikel Vesga

Assist

33' Vesga rises highest from Muniain's corner and flicks the ball into a dangerous area. Inaki Williams is quick to react to the header and equalised the scoreline on aggregate.

I. Williams

Goal

33' GOALLL!!! 1-0 ATHLETIC!!! INAKI WILLIAMS!! Athletic finally get the goal they deserve as Inaki Williams pokes the ball home! Vesga wins the initial header from the corner and the attacker is alert in the six-yard box and gets to the ball before Herrera.

33' SAVE! Herrera is pumped as he makes another big save for Osasuna! Guruzeta stretches to keep the ball in play and finds De Marcos running in at the back post, but the goalkeeper is equal to the diving header.

31' Osasuna are taking far too long to pass the ball around when they look to build an attack. Although they are leading on aggregate, their advantage is not secure.

29' Inaki Williams dribbles to the byline and puts in a looping cross to the far post. Nico Williams looks to guide the ball goalwards, but Moncayola wins the header.

27' Sancet does well to hold off Aridane and win a corner. Muniain sends the cross in but Osasuna manage to clear their lines.

25' CLOSE! Nico Williams shows great skill to control the ball on his chest and send Moncayola the wrong way before cutting inside. He strikes the ball low but just drags his effort wide of the left post.

23' The game is becoming a bit tenser as both sides commit fouls in quick succession. Athletic need to avoid this to stay in control of the game and find a goal.

Mikel Vesga

Yellow Card

21' Vesga receives the first yellow of the game after a poor challenge on Oroz.

19' Nico Williams wins the ball back for Athletic after giving it away moments earlier. He is the best player on the pitch at the moment as he attacks the opponent with every chance he gets.

17' Athletic are pressing even higher up the pitch now as Osasuna are finding it difficult to get out of their own half and create a chance themselves.

15' CHANCE! Nico Williams cuts onto his right foot and sends in a cross toward the penalty spot. Guruzeta tries to flick the ball past Herrera, but Aridane makes a good block.

13' Berchiche tries to find Guruzeta with a disguised pass, but the striker himself does not see it coming and Osasuna come away with the ball.

11' Osasuna are trying to frustrate the hosts by keeping the ball and slowing the tempo of this match down. Athletic are pressing well to try and counter this.

9' Athletic look far more threatening in the opening stages of this game as Osasuna struggle to retain the ball in the opposition half.

7' SAVE! Herrera makes a great save from close range to stop Guruzeta! Aridane completely misses the ball when going up for a header and that allows the striker through on goal. The goalkeeper closes the angle down and makes the crucial save.

5' Nico Williams is causing problems early on down the left wing, but Moncayola is dealing with the threat for now.

3' The atmosphere inside the San Mames is incredible as the home fans try to encourage their side to start the comeback.

1' Muniain gets the game underway for Athletic Club!

The players are making their way out of the tunnel and onto the pitch.

The league meeting earlier in the season ended goalless whereas Athletic Club won both matchups against Osasuna during the 2021/22 season.

Ernesto Valverde makes four changes to his Athletic side as Martinez, Vesga, Sancet, and Nico Williams all start. Arrasate also makes four changes as Moncayola, Gomez, Kike Garcia and Ezzalzouli enter the starting 11.

SUBS: Aitor Fernandez, Nacho Vidal, Unai Garcia, Darko Brasanac, Chimy Avila, Kike Barja, Ruben Pena, Ante Budimir, Pablo Ibanez, Manu Sanchez, Diego Moreno.

Osasuna (4-3-3): Sergio Herrera; Jon Moncayola, Aridane Hernandez, David Garcia, Juan Cruz; Aimar Oroz, Lucas Torro, Moi Gomez; Ruben Garcia, Kike Garcia, Abde Ezzalzouli.

SUBS: Unai Simon, Dani Vivian, Alex Berenguer, Dani Garcia, Unai Vencedor, Oier Zarraga, Ander Capa, Raul Garcia, Mikel Balenziaga, Malcom Adu.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Oscar De Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Martinez, Yuri Berchiche; Oihan Sancet, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Iker Munian, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta.

Athletic Bilbao are not in great form themselves, winning just once in their last seven competitive matches. They will be given some confidence by the club’s history in the competition, with only Barcelona winning the Copa del Rey more times than Athletic Club. They have reached the final three times in the last decade but have not won the trophy since 1984.

Osasuna won the first leg after Abde Ezzalzouli scored early in the second half. Los Rojillos have never won the tournament and this is their first time in the semi-final stage since 2005. Jagoba Arrasate’s side have not won since that first leg at the start of March, failing to score in their last four league games.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg between Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna.

Athletic Club v Osasuna Live Commentary, 2023/04/04

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