Málaga took an important step towards ensuring their presence in the final phase of the Champions Cup of juveniles. The champion of the Andalusian group clearly beat an Athletic that was unable to finish between the three sticks of the goal defended by Santos. Roberto, with a goal in the 67th minute and another before the 69th minute, signed the blue and white victory.
Those of Nacho Pérez were superior to those of Imanol de la Sota from beginning to end. The rojiblancos barely showed signs of life in attack and although they remained firm in defense, they ended up giving an advantage in as many actions, one for each band, which cost them both goals against, the defeat and possibly the tie. Neither the changes introduced by the Biscayan coach helped improve the visiting team.
The outcome of this tie will take place next Saturday in Lezama. The malacitanos have a clear advantage after this first stake. Bilbao will have to play something else at home if they aspire to overcome this disadvantage from the first leg.
Málaga and Athletic faced this first leg of the quarterfinals of the Youth Champions Cup in the middle of a great heat. The locals, who had only lost one match throughout the season, began with certain precautions against a Bilbao team that started with vigor. Luis Bilbao was the first to bother around the blue and white area.
The Malacitano team, however, gradually took over the situation in front of a rojiblanco team well settled behind, but without the ability to come out gracefully from the pressure of Nacho Pérez's pupils. Padilla, Athletic goalkeeper, was accumulating successful interventions to shots from Larrubia, Roberto and Mati. The cubs, on the other hand, continued without putting Santos to the test.
Ieltxu had the best visitor option in this first half, but the play was canceled for offside. The same thing that happened shortly after to Roberto after beating the rojiblanco goalkeeper in an illegal position. The meeting came to rest with a feeling of dominance and local control.
Athletic came out determined to take a step forward in the second half. The rojiblancos, without disturbing the goal of Santos, were controlling the game in the wide area. The situation seemed under control, but Málaga took advantage of a corridor down their left wing to open the scoring in the 67th minute.
The newly incorporated Bear was able to beat Hugo Rincón until he was alone on the baseline, he crossed the area and Roberto, with little opposition, beat Padilla closely. The Athletic goalkeeper, very inspired until then, failed to put his hand on time. There, however, the ills of Bilbao did not end.
Roberto himself took advantage of an accurate and worked assistance from his teammate Loren a minute later to beat the Athletic goal again. With the score in favor, the locals chose to retreat in search of a third goal against. Imanol de la Sota pulled off the bench in search of solutions, but could not find them. The cubs left Malaga without putting the local goalkeeper to the test and with Santamaría sent off a sigh from the end with a double warning.
Malaga (2): Santos; Bilal, Mati, Andrés Caro, Juanlu; Larrubia (Guichard 68 '), Cristian (Ibra 77'), Tamarit (Adrián 68 '), Haitam (Bear 56'); Roberto (Juanmita 77 ') and Loren.
Athletic (0): Padilla; Hugo Rincón (Telletxea 73 '), Eguíluz, Mendibe, Chasco (Ibon Sánchez 83'); Rego (Santamaría 83 '); Ieltxu (Varela 64 '), Unai Gómez (Sollano 73'), Gerenabarrena, Luis Bilbao; and Ibai Sanz.
Goals: 1-0: min. 66, Roberto. 2-0: min. 68, Roberto.
Referee: Domínguez Cervantes (Andalusian Committee). He expelled Santamaría (min. 94) for a double yellow. He admonished Cristián and Juanlu.
Incidents: Match played in the fields of the Federation.