Bilbao Athletic could not get past the tie in Lezama against a good Real Unión. Zulaika's team stood very well on the field and made it impossible for the cubs to do their usual soccer. L
ace scoring chances, in such circumstances, were conspicuous by their absence throughout the cold Sunday afternoon.
Agirrezabala, once again a starter under the sticks, made the two stops he had to make during the clash so that his goal was zero. The first, before the break, at the auction of Sergio Llamas. The second, in the extension time, to Capelete's volley.
The attacking baggage from Bilbao, in terms of arrivals at goal, was also limited to two specific actions. One from Jon Cabo to a good deed from Nico Williams. The other in the form of a chopped header from Baqué who did not find a goal. Equality, for insisting that it not remain, was the dominant trend at all levels.
Etxebe faced the visit of the Real Unión to Lezama with three changes with respect to the team that came from beating Barakaldo. Agirrezabala, in this way, was placed under sticks instead of Iru, Imanol recovered his position in the left-handed side to the detriment of Cortázar and Tascón served as nine while Baqué remained on the bench. The cubs were true to their usual game system.
Zulaika, a visiting coach, chose to place his team with a 1-4-2-3-1. The Irundarras, with the veteran Galán at the top and Sergio Llamas very close to him, opted for an intensive retreat that prevented the rojiblancos from having free spaces to attack. The visiting proposal, with advanced pressure or very fast transitions depending on the moment, forced the locals to run backwards more than usual.
Madrazo was the first to break the hostilities, Jon Cabo replied and Madrazo himself later failed in control only against Agirrezabala. The Bilbo Athletic goalkeeper then stopped the first half with a poisoned shot from Sergio Llamas.
Real Unión improved after the break and prevented Etxebe's team from feeling comfortable on the pitch. The cubs had to spend more minutes defending than trying to attack. The scoring chances, in such circumstances, were conspicuous by their absence.
A header from Baqué, who had entered through Tascón shortly before, and another from exrojiblanco Borja Viguera constituted the finishing baggage of both teams until Capelete, in the 92nd minute, had an unbeatable chance to sign the victory, but he did not manage to splice well on the fly and the ball ended up in the hands of Agirrezabala. Equality and fair distribution of points.
Athletic (0): Agirrezabala; Núñez, Paredes, Luengo, Imanol (Cortazar 80 '); Prados, Zarraga; Williams, Artola (Diarra 80 '), Jon Cabo (Nico Serrano 68'); and Tascón (Baqué, 68 ').
Royal Union (0): Irazustabarrena; Elosegi, Iván Pérez, Senar, Kijera; Elizondo (Rivero 69 '), Beobide; Capelete, Sergio Llamas (Viguera, 69 '), Madrazo; and Galán (Rivera 85 ').
Referee: Martínez García (Riojano Committee). He admonished Beñat Prados, Elizondo, Paredes and Beobide.