Aritz Aduriz stunner sees Athletic Bilbao to victory over Sevilla

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:28 am
Athletic celebrate taking the lead in their surprise victory over Sevilla.
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The striker, who has scored four of Athletic's seven goals this season, hit the only goal of the game in the 13th minute but then had to be substituted on the half hour mark with a muscular problem.

The win sees Athletic move further away from the relegation zone and they appear to be on the way up after a torrid start to the season, while Sevilla suffered only their second defeat of the season and missed an opportunity to go top of the Primera Division after Barcelona's defeat at Celta on Saturday.

Sevilla were able to welcome back midfielder Vitolo from a muscle problem, meaning Gerard Deulofeu lost his place in the starting line-up. Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde made one change to the team that won at Almeria last weekend, bringing in Andoni Iraola in place of Benat Etxebarria.

There was a scrappy start to the game but Aleix Vidal nearly gave Sevilla an early lead, volleying a cross from Benoit Tremoulinas just wide of the far post.

Athletic responded with a volley of their own, but this one certainly was on target. Markel Susaeta got down the right and passed the ball in the air towards Aduriz, who sent it flying into the roof of the net from eight yards out.

Susaeta then tried to opportunistically lob Sevilla goalkeeper Beto from over 40 yards out, but was unable to get his shot on target. The forward had another go at goal before the break, this time hitting the target but Beto was equal to it.

Sevilla were short on ideas and were cancelled out by a highly disciplined Athletic outfit. Unai Emery's side managed just four shots on goal all game, only one of which hit the target. Their best opportunity came from the highly talented Denis Suarez, who took on several defenders but could not keep his shot under the bar.

Sevilla have not always played well this season despite recording their best ever start to a top-flight campaign, but whereas on other occasions they were able to make their few chances count, they came unstuck against Athletic, who are starting to once again resemble the team that qualified for the Champions League last season.