Friday, May 18th, 2012
Athletic Bilbao strengthened their claim for a European place with an impressive win over a flat Atlético Madrid. The home side’s cause wasn’t helped by the expulsion of Perea on 39 minutes but with their next game away to Barcelona, Atlético fans must be fearing the worst.
The home side welcomed back Kun Aguero and Juan Antonio Reyes to a full strength side. However, it was the visitors who the initiative from the start with Javi Martínez testing De Gea from long range after just 4 minutes. Most of Athletic’s attacks centred around target man Fernando Llorente and the Spanish international had a weak effort saved on 7 minutes.
Atlético hadn’t got going but on 13 minutes had their first shot on goal when Aguero dummied a through ball for Forlán but the Uruguayan’s shot was straight at the keeper. That chance sparked the home side’s best period of the game. On 20 minutes Aguero almost got on the end of an excellent Reyes pass but Iraizoz was quick off his line to clear. Two minutes later Aguero had the best chance yet when he rose unmarked at the back post to head an Ujfalusi cross over the bar.
After surviving that brief spell of pressure, Athletic started to create more chances of their own. On 29 minutes Llorente knocked a Lopez long ball onto to Toquero but the striker’s header was brilliantly tipped over by De Gea. A minute later it was Iraizoz’s turn to make a good save when he tipped over a fierce Forlán effort.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, the referee made a game changing decision when he awarded a penalty to Athletic Bilbao. Fernando Llorente controlled a cross into box but then appeared to be tripped by Perea. Replays show it was an accidental coming together of players but the referee was in no doubt, awarding a penalty and showing Perea a red card. Fernando Llorente dusted himself down and stepped up to take the spot kick but the big striker dragged his penalty wide of De Gea’s right hand post.
The penalty miss gave Atlético renewed hope and the 10 men should have gone in front on 43 minutes when Diego Forlán found himself one on one with Iraizoz but pulled his shot wide. It was the sort of chance Forlán would have finished last season and 2 minutes later Atlético were made to pay for that miss. With time almost up, Toquero got on the end of an Iraola pass to slot the ball past De Gea.
After the break, the home side came out looking for an equaliser but the visitors soon took control of the game and made their extra man advantage count. Three minutes into the half, Fernando Llorente should have scored when he got on the end of a Koikili cross but from barely 2 yards out he turned his shot round the post.
The home side were offering very little but almost snatched an equaliser when Godín headed over from a corner. The defender was unmarked and should have done much better. Ten minutes later Athletic made Atlético pay with a clinical move which once again ended with Iraola crossing for Toquero to slam home. Javi Martínez was controlling the game from midfield while Muniain was putting in another impressive performance. The second goal killed the game and once the heavy rain started, Atlético lost any motivation they had left. When the final whistle went there were the expected boos from the home support with much of the anger aimed at the board of the club.
Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Diego Forlan
