Nico and Athletic celebrate their renewal with a win over Rayo

It was a victory as big as it was indisputable, which strengthened the Bilbao team in fifth place, temporarily three points away from the Champions League, and in principle increased their advantage based on their positions to four points. He would remain outside Europe.

Rayo, on the other hand, suffered their second away defeat this season and conceded more goals at ‘La Catedral’ than in all of their previous seven visits. This leaves him in the middle of the table.

The Athletic received bad news before the match started; Vesga was injured during the warm-up and Valverde was replaced by Herrera. HE Prevented Ernesto Valverde from repeating the starting eleven How well it worked on the last day in Girona.

Francisco Rodríguez, on the other hand, in addition to saving Álvaro García, who was suspended in the last match against Barça, included Pathé Ciss in the Oscar Trejo team and moved the former red-white player Unai López to the midfield.

The red and white team did not notice this defeat as they had already caused two corners at the end of the 1st minute. And in the 14th minute Guruzeta had already beaten Dimitrievski.

Even though the local striker scored a very good goal, Disallowed due to offside millimeters ahead by Iñaki Williams passing from the right.

But ‘Gurugol’ was determined to break last season’s goalscoring record this Saturday and added his seventh goal of the season, beating the Balkan goalkeeper with a simple shot midway through the first half.

It was Sancet’s pass that led to a foul call from the Rayista midfielder and who took advantage of the ball that Williams stole from Oscar Valentín. Navarrese’s pass cut through the goal for the San Sebastian native.

Rayo extended the score slightly and scored three tries, none of which were dangerous. Actually Álvaro’s shot was simple For Unai Simon.

Athletic regained control and continued to push for corner kicks without success, but it wasn’t the best of days as attempts from Iñaki Williams and De Marcos came through. They’re not done taking risks in games that threaten that.

The second half started with the chance of a visit arising from a risky transfer from Lekue to Unai Simón. Hasty long shot of the goalkeeper Pathé Ciss takes the ball again and the center of Unai moving outwards.

A result that could have been 1-1 became 2-0 due to the unfortunate play of Pacha Espino, who turned Williams’ cross towards the goal. An impossible ball for his goalkeeper.

Just like he couldn’t do anything at 3-0. A voluntarily shot from Iñaki Williams concluded the beautiful play of all the local forwards. It was started by Nico, continued by Sancet and Guruzeta with a perfect cross for the eldest of the brothers to equal him on the scoreboard and continued with 7 goals.

It looked more like Dimitrievski could finish with the score at 4-0, but Nico’s shot was also accurate after receiving an excellent serve from Lekue. It came out so tight it hit the rod before entering.

It was the perfect icing on the cake of an unforgettable afternoon for little Williams, his entire family and all his ‘athletizale’ fans. Those who came to San Mamés had a real party despite the cold and rain. Party with Nico.

Data sheet:

4 – Athletics Club: Unai Simon; De Marcos (Yuri, m.74), Vivian (Nolaskoain, m.84), Paredes, Lekue; Herrera, Galarreta (Prados, m.81); Iñaki Williams (Berenguer, m.81), Sancet (Muniain, m.74), Nico Williams; and Guruzeta.

0 – Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievsky; Balliu, Lejeune, Moomin, Hawthorn; Oscar Valentín (Kike, m.55), Unai López (De Frutos, m.55); Isi Palazón (Chavarría, m.55), Trejo, Álvaro García; and Camel (Falcao, art.69).

Goals: 1-0, m.23: Guruzeta. 2-0, m.47: Espino, own goal. 3-0, m.64: Iñaki Williams. 4-0, min.68: Nico Williams.

Judge: Francisco Hernández Maeso (Extremeño Committee). He showed yellow cards to local Vivian (m.5) and guest players Espino (m.31) and Falcao (m.87).

Events: Matchday 15 of LaLiga EA Sports was played in San Mamés in front of 44,689 spectators. Official data.