UNDONE BY A SET PIECE AGAIN

It was not to be this time either. Up against Athletic Club and chasing back-to-back wins for the first time this season. On a difficult afternoon Nyland saved a penalty from Vesga in added time in the first half. There were attacking spells and chances to take the lead, but it was the Basque side who handled the final few minutes and taken all three points at the Sánchez-Pizjuán for the second consecutive season. There was not much time left for a response and the team missed another opportunity to go straight to win, and the winless streak at home continues. 

It was a cagey start to the first half with neither team really being able to generate many clear-cut chances. Athletic could have taken the lead from a set piece when a free kick was headed against the crossbar with Berenguer. After a quarter of an hour, we had a double chance with a shot by Saúl that was blocked by a defender and another from distance that Unai Simón was able to catch. Later in the half, Ejuke had a chance dribbling inside the box but he couldn't sort his feet out in time to get the shot away. Athletic's clearest chance of the first half came in the 45th minute, after a corner kick and in jumping, the ball struck Saúl on the arm and after a VAR check, a penalty was awarded. Vesga took the responsibility for the away side but Nyland made a great save to ensure both teams headed into the break on level terms. 

Nyland save a penalty in first-half added time but couldn't do anything to keep out Yeray's header in the closing stages 

We came out strong after the break and within a minute of the restart had already tested Simon. Lukebakio's trademark cutting inside from the wing allowed him to get a shot away that the Spanish goalkeeper was equal to it. Shortly after, some good combination play between Lokonga and Lukebakio eventually found Ejuke, who was denied from close range by Simon again. It was a good few minutes as Carmona had a powerful shot at the near post that lead to a corner. García Pimienta made changes bringing on Juanlu and Vargas, while shifting Lukebakio through the middle. However, it was Athletic who managed the last minutes better. Nyland saved a shot from Iñaki Williams, but just after, with six minutes to go, he could not prevent Yeray from scoring a goal, who headed in from a free-kick to decide the match. 

There was not much time for much more as we failed to score at home and memories of our last win against RC Celta in December seem a long time ago. Next up, after the international break, is a visit across the city to face Real Betis in El Gran Derbi with both Sow and Agoumé suspended after picking up yellow cards against Athletic.