Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk clash ends in stalemate

Athletic Bilbao's Champions League Group H clash with Shakhtar Donetsk at the San Mames ended 0-0 this evening.

The home side's first ever fixture against Ukrainian opposition began slowly, with little goalmouth action in the opening half.

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Ibai Gomez and Oscar de Marcos were lively, repeatedly finding space on the flanks, but neither man created a clear chance.

Gomez whipped a free kick into the side-netting after 28 minutes, but that was as close as either side came to a breakthrough in the first half.

Aritz Aduriz had a case for a penalty when he tumbled in the box under the challenge of Yaroslav Rakitskiy just before half time, but referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos was unconvinced.

The second half was played at a quicker pace than the first, but still neither side looked eager to take all three points.

Douglas Costa brought a diving save out of Andriy Pyatov with a fierce 20-yard effort on 67 minutes, and Iker Muniain failed to pick out Markel Susaeta after a swift Athletic Bilbao break five minutes later, but a goalless draw always looked likely.