Athletic maintains cruising speed in Europe

Athletic maintains its cruising speed, with an unstoppable pace towards the round of 16 of the Europa League. After debuting with a draw at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on their return to the competition six years later, the lions added their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament this Thursday, beating a meek Elfsborg and strengthening themselves at the top of the table.

The goals from Adama Boiro and Beñat Prados in the first half, and the goal from Gorka Guruzeta in the second half, catapulted Ernesto Valverde’s team, who turned the game into a monologue, taking advantage of the weakness of the Swedish side and took another step forward. giant in the journey that hopes to culminate on May 21 of next year in the final to be held in San Mamés.

Athletic arrived devoid of emergencies, with qualification for the round of 16 well on track beforehand. Hence, Ernesto Valverde appreciated the event as an ideal opportunity to return the gloves to Unai Simón. The Alavés had not played a game since July 14, when he touched the sky in Berlin guarding the goal of the Eurocup champion Spain. The presence between the sticks, 137 days later, of the winner of the last Zamora Trophy and who hardly had any work this Thursday was the most relevant note in the lions’ eleven, who started with five changes compared to Sunday’s derby against Real Sociedad but had a block of full guarantees.

Boosted by that victory against the Txuri Urdin team and determined to secure the dam as soon as possible, Athletic immediately charged and soon found the reward. Nico Williams scored from the corner, Guruzeta touched first and Adama Boiro finished with a pass into the net. Meritorious strategic action wisely drawn up by Ernesto Valverde and executed to perfection by his players.

Athletic enjoyed the game against Elfsborg, overwhelmed by the push of the home team, who were able to increase the punishment after a great action by Nico Williams, whose shot from the edge of the area went slightly off target. He left the Nordic squad, which had not competed officially since November 10, when it finished in seventh position in the Allsvenskan, a league that crowned Malmoe for the second consecutive year.

Bath and massage

Whether due to this lack of rhythm or the assumption of inferiority against a greater caliber rival, Elfsborg accepted a reactive role, which Sancet and the Williams threatened with their verticality and dynamism. The second goal for the locals was precipitated by Nico, who made his way down the lane with a bicycle before unleashing a measured cross that Beñat Prados scored, arriving by surprise.

Huge blow of authority on the part of Athletic and a very hard blow for Elfsborg, who had not been able to present any offensive argument. Only a mistimed exit by Unai Simón offered a loophole for the Swedes to close the gap in the final stretch of the first half, but Arber Zeneli could not take advantage of it to find the goal.

Oscar Hiljemark shook the tree after the intermission in search of a reaction from Elfsborg without Athletic’s spirits diminishing. A slip by Nico Williams prevented the Navarrese from having the opportunity to shoot a pass from his brother Iñaki. Guruzeta did so shortly after, collecting a great delivery from Adama Boiro after a masterful delivery from Ruiz de Galarreta to settle the dispute and open space for Valverde to attend to the distribution of efforts so necessary with the infernal calendar that is immediately presented to the Athletic, while San Mamés was recreated with the party.