Athletic Bilbao claimed a valuable 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Basque derby on Sunday, matchday 11 of La Liga. Goals from Iñaki Williams and Alex Berenguer from the penalty spot overturned an early strike from Luka Sučić, ending a poor run of form for Terzić's side.
The win consolidates Athletic Club's position in seventh place in the standings, with 12 points from their opening nine league games. The team had managed just one win in their previous five Liga outings, making this derby success a significant morale and sporting boost.
How the match unfolded
Iñaki Williams opened the scoring after 14 minutes following good work from his brother Nico. The joy was short-lived, as Luka Sučić levelled for Real Sociedad on the half-hour mark. Deep into first-half stoppage time, however, Alex Berenguer converted a penalty to restore the home side's lead. The second half was a more controlled affair, with Athletic defending their advantage in an organised manner despite seeing only 38% of possession.
Substitutions and cards
Both managers shuffled their packs in search of the desired result. Terzić was forced into an early change, bringing on Robert Navarro for Maroan Sannadi in the 6th minute. After the break, Real Sociedad boss Pellegrino Matarazzo introduced Takefusa Kubo and Orri Steinn Óskarsson in pursuit of an equaliser. The match grew tense, with the referee showing five yellow cards-three to the visitors and two to the hosts, including one for Iñaki Williams.
Athletic's offensive efficiency was key, generating an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.97 compared to their rival's 1.42. Goalkeeper Unai Simón made four important saves to preserve the lead. The result improves the team's seasonal goal difference to +3, with 12 scored and 9 conceded.
Next up for the Lions is a trip to Pamplona to face Osasuna on Saturday, November 7. The opponent, currently sitting 14th, presents another opportunity to gather points and continue their climb up the table.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón was key to Athletic's victory. The club confirmed that Simón presented the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper of the year to the fans at San Mamés. The keeper, whose team sits seventh with 15 points, made several decisive saves. "This award is truly deserved," the goalkeeper stated about his individual recognition.
The Technical Committee of Referees confirmed the decisive penalty in the derby should not have been awarded. A report from the company Kinexon, requested by the CTA, determined there was a synchronization error in the ball's technology. The Spanish Federation explained that "the resolution from the VOR room was correct at that moment, as it had no evidence". Athletic, seventh with 15 points, prepares to visit Osasuna.
