The meeting at San Mamés began with the first two approaches for Málaga: a shot by Seba Fernánez that came from a corner and which was soon followed by one by Santi Cazorla, coming out on top of Iraizoz’s goal, by Toulalan.
Athletic wanted to respond to this push but scarcely created any chances. Intensity and pace, together with the opportunities and Malaguista approaches were the constant factors in these first few minutes of the match in which cancelled-out the home side’s triangulations and quick attack transitions.
Only after the first quarter of an hour, were Athletic able to respond with a few corners, although Willy Caballero didn’t need to respond, quite the opposite to his counterpart, Iraizoz, who had to stop a long shot from Isco from the left and one from Rondón as Málaga dominated play.
With the passing of the minutes, Bielsa’s team began to notch up more approaches, but with the same luck that the Blue and Whites were having as they continued to make dangerous moves around Iraizoz’s goal, especially with a powerhouse shot from Cazorla following a long pass from Isco.
The last few minutes of the second half were more of the same, with nail-biting moments in both areas but the referee, Clos Gómez, blew the half time whistle with a goalless draw.
The second half began with a corner in Málaga’s favour that Rondón was unable to connect with and then a move from Cazorla that was cut dead by the Basque defenders.
Athletic stopped the Blue and Whites’ dominance and created their chances taking corners in their favour and in the fourth half got the first goal of the match, thanks to Amorebieta. Three minutes later, in minute 60, San José scored another goal for the Basques. They were on a roll and not even a minute later Toquero shot from the left wing and gave the home side a three goal advantage.
Eliseu and Joaquín went out on the pitch (for Recio and Seba) to open up the wings and looked to close the gap, but Athletic were more comfortable with the quick exit in counter attack and were taking the lead.
With three goals to nil, the game lost its intensity and pace and there were barely any other chances as both teams paid the price for the very physical first half.
In the end, it was a win for Athletic de Bilbao, leaving Málaga with 31 points and eighth place on the BBVA League table and two points from European positions,
Match details
Athletic Club de Bilbao: Iraizoz, Iraola, San José, Ekiza (Amorebieta 46’), Aurtenetxe, Susaeta (Llorente 46’), Herrera (I. Pérez 74’), Iturraspe, De Marcos, Muniaín and Toquero.
Málaga CF: Willy, Sergio Sánchez, Mathijsen, Weligton, Monreal, Cazorla, Toulalan (Camacho 68’), Recio (Eliseu 64’), Isco, Seba (Joaquín 64’) and Rondón.
Goals:
1-0 (57’): Amorebieta.
2-0 (60’): San José.
3-0 (61’): Toquero.
Referee:
Clos Gómez, Carlos (Colegio Aragonés): Cards shown to Iraola, Herrera; and Weligton
Notes:
24th BBVA League match played at the San Mamés stadium.
