2020 | Athletic Club's Official Website (original) (raw)

A good second half performance gives Athletic the win in the second friendly in the Pinatar Arena

Athletic Club defeated Sevilla FC 1-0 in the second friendly on Friday night.

Striker Asier Villalibre met Iñigo Vicente’s cross with a well timed header to put Athletic ahead in the 62nd minute.

In the second half the lions put in a much better performance against Europa League champions Sevilla, who have not lost in 22 official games.

It was a tight fixture. And Sevilla, lining up with many players who will likely face Liverpool in the European Super Cup, controlled the opening period.

However, they did not trouble Athletic keeper Jokin Ezkieta. The lions moved up a gear after the break. First of all, winger Iñigo Cordoba forced Sevilla’s keeper into a save after some great work down the right between Ander Capa and Raúl García.

Then minutes after the drinks break, Unai Lopez found Vicente on the left and the young winger sent in a precise cross which Villalibre put away with a powerful header.

There were a lot of positives as Athletic look towards their upcoming LaLiga Santander fixture against Eibar in Ipurua. Players got valuable minutes and the squad will return home with a confidence boost.