Champions ambition was able with the illusion of the Europa League in San Mamés. Sevilla, with Banega as conductor, came back against Athletic, whose legs weighed more than expected. The lions, despite everything, ended up selling their defeat dearly.
Capa overtook the rojiblancos in the first half. Banega, with a direct free kick, and the newly incorporated Munir, with a header, turned the scoreboard in just four minutes. The lions later complained about Munir's clear penalty on Iñigo Martínez, for grabbing, which neither the referee nor the VAR appreciated.
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The Sevillians had nine consecutive visits losing in San Mamés. This time, in a blue uniform, they broke with their particular name tag and raised their number of consecutive games to twelve without losing. The lions, after this defeat, practically say goodbye to Europe.
Garitano faced Sevilla's visit with three changes to its starting eleven with respect to Madrid's day. Núñez entered for the injured Yeray, Vesga for Unai López and Sancet for the suspended Raúl García. The lions were faithful to their usual system with Muniain again displaced to the right wing and Williams leading.
Lopetegi, unlike the local coach, opted for a massive rotation at San Mamés. The team from Seville presented seven variations regarding the closest match against Eibar in Pizjuán. Novelties, therefore, in all the lines, goal included since Bono replaced the injured Vaclik.
Sevilla came out strong. With a lot of verve and self-confidence. With an undisguised intention to surprise the rival at the first change. His football, seasoned with touch, mobility and offensive sense, liked at times. Athletic, meanwhile, just waited and took their place on the field.
En-Nesyri was the first to shoot on goal. Williams reacted minutes later. His powerful shot went high. Ocampos and Suso then enjoyed two good options in front of goal, but found no goal.
The problems began to accumulate in Athletic. Yuri, injured, asked for the change. Balenziaga entered his place. From there, curiously, the people of Bilbao grew up in their game. Vesga tried his luck with the right and Capa, like in Pizjuán, opened the scoring after a cross from his aforementioned teammate.
The setting of the meeting had changed noticeably. Desperate, Ocampos tried it from the midfield. Muniain, on the other hand, was able to do the second shortly before the break, but forgave.
Athletic started with De Marcos for Sancet in the second half. Córdoba soon had a good option to beat Bono, but he finished off at the goalkeeper's hands. The referee then pardoned the second yellow card, by hand, to Banega.
Sevilla launched into an open grave in search of a tie. Suso first and Ocampos later forced to show off a highly inspired Unai Simón. The intensive withdrawal of the people of Bilbao was accentuated with the passing of the minutes and the Sevillian danger grew at times.
Banega, in a direct free kick, established the equalizer with twenty minutes to go.
The setting of the meeting did not change. Sevilla continued to insist on their offense and Munir, who had entered shortly before with De Jong, made the second from accurate header to measured center of Banega.
From 1-0 to 1-2 in just four minutes.
Garitano, with everything lost, gave simultaneous entry to Ibai, Kodro and Villalibre. Lopetegui, on the other hand, reinforced his average with Fernando. The most controversial play of the clash came to the edge of the end. Munir's clear penalty for grabbing Iñigo Martínez and neither the referee nor the VAR appreciated anything punishable.
ATHLETIC 1-2 SEVILLA
Athletic: Unai Simón; Capa (Kenan Kodro 78 ’), Unai Núñez, Iñigo Martínez, Yuri (Balenziaga 25’); Dani García, Vesga; Muniain, Sancet (De Marcos 46 ’), Iñigo Córdoba (Ibai Gómez 78’); and Williams (Villalibre 78 ’).
Seville: Bono; Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Reguilón; Gudelj, Joan Jordán (Munir 64 ’), Banega; Ocampos (Franco Vázquez 89 ’), Suso (Fernando 79’) and En-Nesyri (De Jong 64 ’).
Goals: 1-0: min. 29, Cloak. 1-1: min. 69. Banega. 1-2: min. 74, Munir.
Referee: Medié Jiménez (Catalan). He expelled in 81 the Athletic physical trainer, Juanan Irribaren. Yellows the locals Unai Núñez, De Marcos and Dani García, as well as the visitors Banega and Ocampos.
Incidents: Game played behind closed doors in San Mamés.