This final for Europe that takes place in San Mamés continues here.
Athletic Club de Bilbao and Real Betis Balompié, positioned seventh and sixth respectively, expend effort in San Mamés as they push to secure a European spot for the next season. Each side has scraped only a single point from their last six on offer, and both know that stopping the skid is essential if they want to fulfill their continental ambitions.
The match will also be a test of depth as injuries thin both squads. For Athletic, Iñigo Martínez, Muniain and Yeray are unavailable, while Betis will be without defenders Víctor Ruiz, Luiz Felipe and Édgar. These absences, joined by Nabil Fekir on Manuel Pellegrini’s roster, keep Joaquín in doubt should knee discomfort prove serious enough to prevent him from stepping onto the pitch.
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Ernesto Valverde described the preview as a final for European qualification, while his opposite number Pellegrini called the contest a closely fought game in which the energy inside the Bilbao stadium could swing the result in either direction.
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45´ + 2 Rest in San Mamés with Betis ahead thanks to a goal from William Jose. Athletic refuses to concede and pledges a second-half comeback.
45′ Two minutes of stoppage time.
43′ NO PENALTY is given. The footage shows the ball coming off Miranda’s back.
42′ PENALTY FOR ATHLETICS! Nico Williams centers from the right against Miranda and the referee calls handball on Betis. VAR checks follow.
39′ ANOTHER CHANCE FOR BETIS. A Sabaly and Carvalho sequence on the right ends with a long-range attempt that sails wide; Ayoze had just missed seconds earlier. Moments before, Yuri and Canales were involved when Athletic claimed a throw-in after a blocked shot.
31′ Athletic keep pressing from the right. Pezzella interrupts Guruzeta who still forces a corner.
25′ William Jose shows confidence with another long-range effort that sails over the bar.
21′ A burst of rhythm as William Carvalho lifts a cross from De Marcos, Bravo palms it away, and the resulting corner is cleared.
20′ Athletic reply with a long ball from Dani García to Guruzeta, who touches it on to the striker and Bravo gathers without trouble.
19′ Ayoze nearly doubles Betis’ lead. A Canary goal is thwarted by Unai Simón.
15′ Iñaki Williams peels into space but misses the mark as the ball drops in the box.
14′ William Jose connects from the right after Betis control, but the shot misses wide.
5′ BETIS GOAL! William Jose finishes a loose ball in the box after a miscue on a clearance from Vesga, giving Betis the edge early in the game.
2′ Guruzeta tests Bravo with a crisp strike that is ruled offside after a deflection.
1′ The ball is in play in San Mamés, a vibrant setting for a crucial match.
And so Manuel Pellegrini heads to San Mamés with intent to claim a result that could define Betis’ European trajectory.
With this lineup, Ernesto Valverde sets out to win this so-called final for Europe.
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Source: Goal