MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Athletic Club won this Friday 4-0 against RCD Mallorca, including a double from defender Yuri Berchiche, in a match that opened matchday 23 of LaLiga EA Sports and helped both teams calibrate themselves before playing in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey , with uncertainty surrounding the brothers Iñaki and Nico Williams due to physical discomfort.
In a packed San Mamés, the locals soon opened the scoring. Nico Williams himself centered a free kick from the side into the heart of the rival area; With his back to goal, Yuri volleyed as he turned and got ahead of Cyle Larin's attempted header.
A great goal came from Athletic's left-back, who in the 17th minute expanded his tally in another beautiful set-piece play. Nico took a corner from the left on a changed foot, Gorka Guruzeta subtly extended it with a backheel and Yuri finished with his right foot almost into the top corner.
Although the visiting coach, Javier Aguirre, made several changes in the first minutes after the break, his pupils did not react and to make matters worse they conceded 3-0 on a counterattack launched by Iñaki Williams; He crossed low into the area, along the way Oihan Sancet touched the ball and at the far post Guruzeta scored from point-blank range.
It was then that the bad news emerged for the 'Lion' coach, Ernesto Valverde, who first replaced Nico and in the final stretch he replaced Iñaki, since both brothers felt muscle pain and the departure of the 'semi' cup winners, against the Atlético de Madrid is close.
Iker Muniain rounded off the win in the 89th minute, with a low right foot that hit the post, taking advantage of a pass from Óscar de Marcos from the right side. This result placed Athletic with 45 points, sitting in fifth position in the league, and left Mallorca with 20 points; looking askance at the relegation zone, the vermillion team will face Real Sociedad on February 6 in the other 'semi' of the Cup.