Valladolid – Amorebieta | Second division Matchday 29: Too much Valladolid for Amorebieta

Amorebieta came away scalded from their visit to the José Zorrilla in Pucelano, where Real Valladolid showed why they are the best local team in LaLiga SmartBank and one of the clear favorites for promotion. Pacheta’s men wanted the Biscayan team, they didn’t forget the thrashing they received in Lezama, and they retaliated by endorsing the zornotzarras a ‘little hand’. Although it may seem otherwise from the scoreboard, this Sunday was not the worst match for Vélez de Mendizabal’s men, who had phases of good play and even dominance, especially at the end of the first period and the start of the second. But in front of them they had a tremendously accurate rival in attack who knew how to exploit the concessions behind Urritxe’s men to make blood. This tough defeat makes Amorebieta lose ground in its fight for permanence, which is six points away, which could be seven if Malaga, precisely the Biscayans’ next rival, adds up in Monday’s clash against Cartagena.

Iñigo Vélez de Mendizabal waved his eleven to appear at the José Zorrilla, with four novelties. The one that attracted the most attention was in the defensive line, since he left Oier Luengo on the bench to bring in Jon Irazabal as third central defender. Lander Olaetxea and Markel Lozano formed in the midfield alongside Iker Bilbao, taking the positions of the absent Álvaro Peña and also Javi Ros due to indisposition. Above, the usual rotation of Gorka Guruzeta’s dance partner, who this Sunday was Koldo Obieta.

The Blues entered the game bravely, trying to put pressure on a Valladolid team that came out with one more march and that did not take long to disturb Santamaría’s goal. Those of Pacheta had ‘thirsty for revenge’ after the 4-1 in the first round, and it was noticeable on the green. Before the tenth minute, they had already had a very clear chance through Weissman and a goal well annulled for offside by Nacho.

The pucelano gale found its prize before the quarter of an hour. A quick combination on the balcony of the area, a filtered pass and Weissman himself who took advantage of a dead ball after a touch from Sergio León to score. Almost immediately after, he was able to tie the Zornotzarra team, after a great technical gesture by Guruzeta, which left Andoni López with everything in his face to score, but his shot went too cross. Amorebieta forgave, but Valladolid did not, just four minutes after their initial goal. It was, once again, from set pieces, the great ballast for the Biscayans throughout the season. Short corner kick by Pacheta’s men, the ball hung at the far post so that Sergio León, with no one in a couple of meters around him, headed to the bottom of the goal after hitting the ball on the post.

With the score on track, Valladolid seemed to relax, which made it possible for Amorebieta to grow in the game. In fact, as the minutes progressed they fully took control of the match. What was missing was a bit of success in those final meters in the several clear actions they had to score. Iker Bilbao tried it with one of his usual strikes from the front, narrowly deflected. Olaetxea also missed a very good opportunity sending his shot, with great intention, next to the crosshead. And a dangerous cross from Larrazabal almost sent El Yamiq deep into his own goal in an attempt to clear, but Masip reacted in time to avoid it. Óscar Gil also combed a foul, with the ball going off the woodwork.

Urritxe’s team did not find a prize before the break, but it did after going through the changing rooms. The Vélez de Mendizabal came out with intensity, surrounding the Valladolid area. After several attempts, the one who ended up scoring was Gorka Guzueta. The man from San Sebastian added his ninth goal of the season with a good low and crossed shot that put the Blues in the game, at the same time that the ‘runrun’ in the José Zorrilla stands was increasing.

It was a kind of mirage. Sergio León was in charge of putting things back in his place. The Cordovan striker left the match seen for sentence with two more goals in nine minutes, to end up leaving applauded by the local parish for his triplet. Amorebieta kept fighting and paddling against the tide, never lowering his arms despite the clear adverse marker. But Valladolid managed those final minutes of the match with solvency. He also put the finishing touch in the closing stages, with an Anuar that rounded off the win.