Athletic heals from the Cup at Levante’s expense

Athletic arrived wounded by their cup elimination and came out stronger this Monday thanks to a soothing and well-deserved victory against Levante that continues to sink as bottom team and for whom not even the great performance of their goalkeeper Cárdenas helped them avoid leaving the Cathedral scalded. Marcelino’s team scored the three goals in the second half (Vesga, Iñaki Williams and Zarraga penalty), but he already deserved to go into the break with a good advantage but the superb performance by Cárdenas prevented it because the lions had up to six clear chances in the first act. of fruits signed the Valencian honor, a great goal.

With the victory, Athletic returns to look at Europe with arguments (it is four behind Real, the sixth and first European tenant), while Levante sees its incipient rebirth slowed down and loses a new ‘final’ to continue dreaming of permanence .

[+] See the summary of the match

Athletic came out in steamroller mode and soon put the siege into practice over the Granota area. In the first breath, the first clear for the lions. In minute 11, a very clear double chance for the locals. Iñaki Williams went into the kitchen but the goalkeeper Cárdenas stole his wallet, starting the recital of stops he made in the first part. And next line, Muniain a thread was removed that did not catch a miracle goal. The start was a declaration of intent from the local storm in the first 45 minutes.

The lions did not take their foot off the accelerator and in minute 15 they had a chance again, another of Iñaki Williams. While Levante did not appear in attack, drowned out by the rojiblancos, well, only Unai He suffered a scare in the 23rd minute when he gave in to his central defender and Roger almost stole the ball from him. At the stroke of half an hour, Athletic intensified its harassment and had four clear chances in just four minutes, from 28′ to 31′, but always he ran into Cárdenas, superb.

Gallery

In the 280 Sancer took a right hand and the Granota keeper showed off with a prodigious hand. moments later Guillamon saved on the goal line a header from Íñigo Martínez who was already singing as a goal in the stands. And a minute later, another two stops of luxury of Cárdenas before a howitzer of Berenguer (then he was spat out by the crossbar) and another shot from Íñigo. A monologue of the lions unable to beat Cardenas, El Salvador Granota.

Levante was finally able to shake off the local overwhelm and replied with two good deeds. In the first, the best, Morales sent his shot to the crossbar, previous game. And in minute 34 Roger also had it after a great cross from De Frutos. It was a miracle that the 0-0 was maintained, especially since Athletic accounted for up to six clear chances in these first 45 minutes. Amazing.

Levante received a severe setback before the break as Morales left injured on a stretcher after a jump with vesga. Blow for those of Lisci.

After the break the same scenario was repeated with an Athletic committed to the visiting area and a Levante shaking the barrage as best they could, although the Lisci’s legs began to weaken and it was difficult for them to abort the power of the locals.

They locked themselves in the back, without replying, and the Valencians ended up paying for it, as Athletic continued to strike with everything. And he got the just prize. In 63′, a Berenguer’s precise center was headed by Vesga who entered like a shell to make it 1-0 and open the melon for some lions who had searched for it voraciously. Both coaches moved the bench but the ‘fresh meat’ favored the interests of the Basques.

They looked for the lace those of Marcelino and they did it in the 76th minute in the boots of a player who had had a carousel of chances in the first half. Iñaki Williams culminated a brutal against opened by Berenguer and he pulled out the thorn before the goalkeeper Cárdenas, putting the 2-0 that did justice to what was seen on the ‘green’.

In minute 87, Athletic rounded off the victory with a penalty converted by Zarraga, precisely the player who was fouled in the box. The play was born in a spectacular against Nico Williams, who went with everything, and enabled Zarraga, who was run over when going to finish off. Maximum book penalty.

There was still time for Levante to score their goal of honour. It signed Of Fruits after completing a raid to the kitchen, beating Unai Simón. A great goal to seal the great game that was seen in San Mamés.