The Basque derby left another point in favor of Coudet
The ‘Submarino’ lost in La Cerámica against Betis with 10 and the ‘txuri-urdin’ tied against a good Las Palmas
MADRID, 15 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Athletic Club drew (1-1) against Deportivo Alavés this Sunday on matchday 17 of LaLiga EA Sports, a point that was good in Mendizorroza by stopping the tremendous streak of the ‘lions’, something that neither Villarreal nor Real took advantage of Partnership to get closer to the ‘Top 4’, after losing to Real Betis and drawing with Las Palmas.
Ernesto Valverde’s men besieged ‘Glorioso’, in Eduardo Coudet’s home debut, during the first half, but only a 1-0 score from Unai Gómez went up in the tenth minute. Alavés, trailing an Athletic leader in the Europa League and entrenched in the top four of the League, knew how to suffer and showed pride and effort in the second half in front of their fans.
The locals took a step forward to start playing at least in the opposite field. After a shot from Jon Guridi, Joan Jordán scored his first goal for Alavés to make it 1-1 in the 67th minute. In the final stretch, without a clear dominator, the game could have gone either way, although the biggest scare came from Athletic with a goal disallowed due to a foul on Vivian in stoppage time.
Coudet’s men thus obtained another point of merit, as against Osasuna in the league debut of their new coach, trying to avoid the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Valverde’s team remained at 33 points, but fourth place remained strong after Villarreal’s defeat (26) against a Betis that played an hour with one less.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men achieved an important turning point to look towards the noble zone again after five days without winning. After a great start at La Cerámica, including Vitor Roque’s 0-1, the visitors suffered a rigorous red card against Chimy Ávila around half an hour into the game. Villarreal then began its move forward but Betis held on.
A great goal from a direct free kick by Giovani Lo Celso right at the start of the second half helped the Andalusians’ faith, but Marcelino’s team looked for an obligatory reaction in front of their fans. Another great goal from Álex Baena in the 55th minute seemed to be the start of the comeback, but Villarreal was left far behind as they ran into a Betic wall, especially Youssouf Sabaly and Marc Bartra, who frustrated Thierno Barry.
Furthermore, at the Reale Arena, Real could not add three, to remain at 25 points, against a Las Palmas that extended its good dynamics on a difficult field and against a top rival. Despite the 0-0, the match was attractive and both sought victory, but the Canaries redoubled their efforts in defense to score for the third day in a row and extend the effect of Diego Martínez.
Álex Remiro and Jesper Cillessen were the main protagonists with their saves, a lot of work from the Basques’ goal against Jaime Mata, Alberto Moleiro, who did not finish the game due to injury, and Sandro who was very close to continuing his streak with the goal. At home, Sucic, Mikel Oyarzabal and, in the final scramble with the changes, Ander Barrenetxea did not hit the mark for a Real team that stopped its climb and its recent scoring awakening.