Granada Closes the Gap with a Narrow 1-0 Victory over Athletic Bilbao at Nuevo Los Carmenes
The match moved Granada to add five points to their tally after a hard-fought first half, settling the score 1-0 with Athletic Bilbao at the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium. The home side bagged a crucial win that keeps them in contention for a European spot next season, while Athletic saw a setback in their bid for seventh place and faced a tougher challenge in their efforts to secure continental football.
Dani García found the net for Athletic in the 35th minute, a goal that Alex Collado’s earlier near-miss at the other end had briefly balanced, but the first half ultimately swung Granada’s way. The visitors battled to respond, yet Athletic’s chances dwindled as the half progressed, and a red card for Mikel Vesga late in the 85th minute left them with ten men as the clock wound down. The game remained tense, with Raúl García hitting the post in a crowded goalmouth moment during extra time as both sides sought an equalizer.
Granada began with intensity, pressuring early through Jorge Molina’s header and a subsequent attempt from Luis Milla. Molina’s early efforts signified Granada’s intent to press from the outset, while Milla’s header demonstrated the visitors’ vulnerability to compact defending. The ball stayed mostly in midfield for a stretch, as Granada looked to exploit gaps behind Athletic’s defense with persistent runs from Puertas and Collado. On the other end, Athletic attempted to construct attacks from distance, while goalkeeper Luis Maximiano had to stay alert for long-range efforts from Collado and Molina.
As the match wore on, Athletic grew more aggressive in possession, hoping to find a breakthrough through quick combinations. Granada, by contrast, kept a tight shape and relied on quick transitions to exploit any lapse in Athletic’s structure. Unai Vencedor orchestrated several moves from the middle of the park as Marcelino García’s side shifted formations in search of a balance that would force a response from the home team.
The first-half action featured a scramble in which Álex Collado stole possession and found a ball in front of the goalkeeper, but Albanian Myrto Uzuni was the key link in Granada’s counter when the ball arrived at Collado after a miscue by the Athletic defense. The hosts threatened again just before the break as Uzuni threatened a second, narrowly missing with a precise strike that would have doubled Granada’s lead. The score at the half remained 1-0 in favor of Granada, setting the stage for a tense second period.
After the break, Athletic attempted to push forward with renewed urgency, but Granada’s defensive discipline stiffened. Marcelino García’s squad made a series of substitutions to spark life into their attack, but the changes did little to alter the tempo or break Granada’s momentum. The visitors managed to create few clear chances, while Granada looked to capitalize on counterattacks and set-pieces as minutes ticked away.
Despite Athletic’s efforts to seize momentum, Jorge Molina managed to seal the result for Granada with a slow-burning counterattack in the 83rd minute, a moment that typified the home side’s resilience and strategic execution. Athletic’s late attempts to force a rally grew more frantic as Vesga’s two yellow cards in quick succession reduced them to ten players, complicating their prospects of a late comeback.
The closing minutes turned into a frenetic affair, with Unai Simón joining the attack on a corner kick and Raúl García’s shot, redirected by a post, keeping Athletic alive in the dying embers. The final whistle confirmed Granada’s 1-0 triumph in a match that showcased sharp, compact defense and efficient finishing in contrast to a more tentative Athletic performance on the road.
Data sheet: 1 Granada: Maximiano; Quini, Víctor Díaz, Germán, Escudero; Gonalons, Luis Milla; Antonio Puertas, Álex Collado, Uzuni; Jorge Molina. Substitutions included Arias for Puertas and Luis Suárez for Uzuni later in the game. 0 Athletic: Unai Simón; Lekue, Vivian, Íñigo Martínez, Yuri; Dani García, Vencedor, Nico Williams, Muniain; Berenguer, Villalibre. Goals: 1-0, Alex Collado (35). Referee: Sanchez Martínez. Vesga received a red card after two bookings, at minutes 72 and 85. The match belonged to the 36th week of LaLiga Santander and was played before 16,638 spectators at the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium.
Events: The contest featured a lively crowd and a game plan that favored Granada’s compact defense and efficient counterattacks. Both teams displayed moments of quality, with Granada’s early pressure paying dividends and Athletic’s resilience shown in a late push that just fell short of altering the result.