Bilbao battle back to beat Osasuna
Reuters - Sunday 17 April 2011, 22:55
MADRID - Athletic Bilbao boosted their
chances of securing a place in next season's Europa League when
they fought back from a goal and a man down to snatch a 2-1
victory at struggling Osasuna on Sunday.
On a weekend dominated by Saturday's "Clasico" between
leaders Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid, which ended
1-1, the Basque club (48 points) climbed into fifth above
Sevilla (46), who lost 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday.
Their other direct rivals for a Europa League berth, holders
Atletico Madrid (46) and Espanyol (45), drew 2-2 in Barcelona
and are seventh and eighth respectively with six games left.
Bilbao had defender Xabi Castillo sent off for a second
yellow card in the 57th minute in Pamplona, shortly after
striker Kike Sola had fired the home side in front.
Osasuna were unable to make their numerical advantage count
and Bilbao's Spain striker Fernando Llorente levelled with a
header with just over 20 minutes left.
After Osasuna defender Sergio Fernandez was sent off for a
second yellow in the 88th minute, Iker Muniain pounced on a
defensive howler by goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez to curl the ball
into the empty net from wide on the left.
"We only created two chances and we were 100 percent
efficient," Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros told a news
conference. "The team has desire and soul and they showed that
on the pitch."
SURPRISE PACKAGE
In Barcelona, Atletico were ahead in the second minute after
an error by Espanyol defender Ernesto Galan allowed Koke to
score into an empty net.
Pablo Osvaldo equalised with a deflected shot shortly before
halftime before Sergio Aguero intercepted an attempted backpass
in the 49th minute and lifted the ball superbly over onrushing
Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
Osvaldo levelled again nine minutes later but neither side
found the firepower or creativity to engineer a winner.
In the day's earlier games, surprise package Levante,
promoted at the end of last season and unbeaten in eight games
since mid February, strengthened their grip on ninth thanks to a
2-1 win at home to struggling Hercules.
With only 12 points separating 11th from 20th in a congested
bottom half of the table, Deportivo La Coruna secured a crucial 2-0
win at home to Racing Santander, while Real Sociedad beat
visiting Sporting Gijon 2-1 in San Sebastian.
Almeria remain rooted to the bottom on 26 points after they
were beaten 3-0 at home by third-placed Valencia on Saturday.
Hercules have 30 points in 19th and Real Zaragoza, who play
at fourth-placed Villarreal on Monday, are 18th on 33.