The Bilbao Athletic takes a giant step towards returning to Second Division
The Bilbao Athletic took a giant step at San Mamés to return to Second Division two decades later. Two opportunist goals from striker Gorka Santamaría put a struggling Cádiz against the ropes, who only pushed forward in the last ten minutes. The only intervention from goalkeeper Remiro, to Migue García's shot, was their only threat in a San Mamés with a Primera Division atmosphere, which spurred their young players to go forward and then helped them hold on to the result when they were struggling.
It's true that there is still the second leg, at the Ramón de Carranza, which will be explosive, but Ziganda's team already has a clear mission: to score a goal there so that the yellow team needs four goals.
Cádiz seemed overwhelmed by the importance of the game from the beginning. They barely threatened with a shot from Juan Villar and from that point on they were at the mercy of the home team, who were superior in possession, without the ball, and in aggression. With the creativity of their attacking midfielder, a Néstor Salinas reminiscent of Valerón who is still finding his consistency, the Bilbao Athletic dominated the first half.
A set piece. The 1-0, which Claudio's team took as a heavy burden, came from a rehearsed corner kick. Lekue unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, Aulestia couldn't hold the strike, and Santamaría, lurking in the area, sent the ball into the net from behind. The Andalusians didn't recover and quickly conceded the second blow. It came after a brilliant play between Salinas and the left-footed Seguin, a silky winger. His cross once again found Santamaría, quicker than their central defender. He has scored 18 goals in the shadow of Williams and Guillermo.
Claudio made a quick change to address the vulnerability on his left flank and prevent Lekue from causing more damage. The Bilbao Athletic didn't lose possession until fatigue and the wounded Cádiz appeared, who showed determination and cornered them in the end. Migue had the chance to score the 2-1, but it would have been unfair to the football displayed by both teams.