Friday, May 18th, 2012
Two second half goals gave Valencia a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in a typically rain soaked and fiery evening in San Mames.
The away side were more than a little fortunate to go home with the three points as overall they were second best in almost every aspect, apart from their ability to put the away their chances. But it is that very ability that wins matches and Unai Emery’s side are no strangers to leaving games with points they did not deserve, with this being the second time this season in which they have won undeservedly in the Basque country.
It was Athletic Bilbao’s third consecutive defeat, coming on the back of four successive victories and is another blow to their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, having wasted an opportunity to gain ground on fourth place Villarreal, who dropped points again this weekend.
But more than just a lost opportunity, this was an occasion when Joaquín Caparros’s side would have felt truly mugged, having been on top for almost the entire game, but failing to add to their lead and gifting Valencia two cheap goals.
The first half was a lively affair in which Athletic were stronger overall and worthy of the lead they took into half-time, although Valencia would have felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty on two occasions.
The home side’s superiority was due in no short part to the explosive work of Gaizka Toquero, a menace down the right hand side and a constant supply of crosses into Fernando Llorente. The two combined early on for the first chance of the game, with Llorente forcing a save from Valencia goalkeeper Guialta after receiving a smart flick on from his striking partner. Five minutes later the two strikers combined again, resulting in the game’s opening goal.
Toquero received a low through ball from Carlos Gurpegui and accelerated down the right hand side. He delivered a low cross into Llorente, who showed superb strength and skill to hold off goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, turning on the spot and sliding the ball in from close range.
Valencia’s attempts were largely limited to long range efforts but they did have two valid penalty claims turned down. First, Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz brought down Valencia striker Roberto Soldado in the box but referee Muñiz Fernández waved play on. A few moments later, Athletic defender Borja Ekiza appeared to block a goal-bound shot with his arm, but Valencia’s appeals fell on deaf ears.
Athletic controlled the second half even more than the first but couldn’t turn their dominance into goals. On one occasion Toquero worked wonders down the left hand side but couldn’t get enough power on his shot to beat Guialta. On another, Iker Muniain did the hard work down the left wing but fired what should have been a cross into the stand. Llorente also went close, striking the post from close range.
Eventually, the hosts were made to pay for their wastefulness.
Valencia quickly broke up an Athletic attack and countered, with Joaquin racing free down the right and putting in a low cross that was met at the far post by Juan Mata, who could not miss. Athletic sought to restore their lead and shortly after the goal Susaeta had the ball in the net, but it was correctly ruled out for offside. Then came the winner, from a seemingly harmless shot by Tino Costa on the edge of the area which would normally have been no problem for the experienced Iraizoz. But on this occasion the ball spilled from the goalkeeper’s hands and was lapped up by a grateful Jonas.
An injury time free kick on the edge of the area gave Athletic a last chance to salvage a point, but De Marcos shot just inches over.
Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Valencia
