Athletic Club takes a step back in its European objective after losing against Betis (1-0)

Athletic Club lost against Betis (1-0) this Sunday at the Benito Villamarín the match corresponding to the 28th day of LaLiga Santander. With the defeat, the rojiblancos gave a step backwards in its European aspirations. The Andalusian team played with one player less the final stretch, due to Fekir’s expulsion in the 80th minute.

The match started with a high tempo and with both teams launched on the attack. Betis generated the first chance of the clash in minute 3, but goalkeeper Unai Simón deflected Borja Iglesias’s shot. Athletic’s response came through a shot by Berenguer that went high. Little by little, the local team prevailed, having a clear chance in which Unai Simón saved Juanmi’s shot. However, at minute 20, Borja Iglesias scored the 1-0 after finishing off with a header a lateral cross from Miranda.

After conceding the goal, Athletic reacted. Iñaki Williams finished off a center from De Marcos that narrowly missed the target. Before the break, Muniain tried from outside the box, but goalkeeper Rui Silva saved the shot from the Atletico captain.

At the start of the second half, Betis saved with a shot from Canales that Unai Simón saved and Athletic responded with a quick move in which Bartra cut off a dangerous cross from Iñaki Williams. In the 54th minute, Borja Iglesias headed in, and the ball went over the baseline after grazing the post. Nine minutes later, Muniain made a great play, went into the area, left Bartra behind with a barrel, and his shot was cleared by Rui Silva. Nico Williams was also able to score in the 66th minute, but his shot from the edge of the box missed the target.

At minute 80, Fekir was expelled for a straight red after kicking Iker Muniain from the ground. In any case, from that moment on, the loss of time was continuous, and he was interrupted every two times three. In the final stretch, Athletic tried, but could not generate clear scoring chances, and the three points were taken by Betis.

Data sheet:

1 – Betis: Rui Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Bartra, Miranda (Aitor Ruibal, m.70); Guido Rodríguez, Paul (Edgar, m.87); Canals, Fekir, Juanmi; Borja Iglesias (William Carvalho, m.73).

0 – Athletic Club: Unai Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Berenguer, Victor (Nico Serrano, m.84), Vesga (Zarraga, m.71), Muniain; Sancet (Raúl García, m.84), Iñaki Williams (Nico Williams, m.58).

Goal: 1-0, min. 20: Borja Iglesias.

Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (C. Valenciano). He expelled the Betic Fekir (m.80) with a direct red card, for attacking an opponent. In addition, he admonished the locals Pezzella (m.25), Miranda (m.28), Aitor Ruibal (m.76) and Canales (m.80), and the visitors Yuri (m.8), Berenguer (m.16 ), Nico Williams (m.77), De Marcos (m.80) and Sancet (m.80).