Athletic Bilbao leapfrogged Barcelona to move into La Liga’s top-three, as the Lions’ unbeaten run extended to 13 matches thanks to a 2-1 victory over Basque rivals Real Sociedad – a third straight head-to-head league victory on home soil.The hosts were without key forward Iñaki Williams, but his brother, Nico, was quick to test the legs of Sociedad full-back Álvaro Odriozola with a lung-busting run forward. Odriozola was forced off in tears moments later with yet another injury, and the visitors’ performance started to unravel from there. Soon after Mikel Vesga’s header drifted over, the hosts were ahead after Yuri Berchiche’s low cross took two deflections on its way through to Álex Berenguer, who had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.
Imanol Alguacil’s men showed little sign of a response, and looked to be trying to get through to the interval with the arrears at one. That wouldn’t be the case, though, as Berenguer struck again before halftime to put Bilbao on the brink of victory. Williams was released down the right by Oihan Sancet, and after Sociedad spurned two chances to win the ball back, Berenguer slotted into the far corner to double his side’s advantage.
With Imanol’s words still ringing in their areas, the Sociedad players looked more motivated after the restart, though Aritz Elustondo’s effort into the side-netting was as close as they came in the immediate aftermath of play resuming. A raft of substitutions halted any momentum that the visitors had generated though, and there were very few threats to Unai Simón’s goal from La Real as the game drifted towards its conclusion.Athletic Bilbao are having fun at San Mames. pic.twitter.com/oXbuBBr0YM— Precious Jeremiah 💙❤️ (@Precious_jr21) January 13, 2024 Sociedad were limp for large portions of the closing stages, but they were suddenly sprung into life after a comedy of defensive errors from the hosts allowed Aihen Muñoz to pick out Mikel Oyarzabal, who steered home with his chest to setup a grandstand finish. Tension was suddenly palpable at San Mamés, but Bilbao held firm to pick up a huge victory that lifts them into third in La Liga. They’re nine points and three places better off than Sociedad, who’ve now failed to win any of their last four league matches.
LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 20Friday Sevilla – Alaves 2-3 (0-2)/Mir 70, Ocampos 81 pen – Tenaglia 26, Garcia 40, Duarte 90/Saturday Las Palmas – Villareal 3-0 (1-0)/Rodriguez 8, 63, Herzog 51/ Mallorca – Celta 1-1 (1-0)/Larin 43 – Aspas 10/Ath.Bilbao – Sociedad 2-1 (1-0)/Berenguer 30, 42 – Oyarzabal 87/23.00: (1.63) Betis (4.00) Granada (6.25)Sunday 16.00: (4.90) Almeria (3.90) Girona (1.70)18.15: (2.90) Cadiz (3.00) Valencia (2.70)***odds are subject to change***