Athletic Bilbao welcomed Osasuna to San Mames on Friday looking to make it six points from their opening two league games.
The home side took the lead after 31 minutes when Alejandro Arribas turned into his own net, with that strike separating the two sides at the interval.
Both sides had opportunities in the second period, but Oscar de Marcos made sure of the points for Bilbao late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga match of the evening comes from San Mames as Athletic Bilbao welcome Osasuna. Bilbao, who are under new management this season, started their league season with a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid in Ernesto Valverde’s first game in charge of the Basque outfit last weekend.
Osasuna, who finished 16th in the table last season, began their campaign in disappointment, however, with a 2-1 home loss to Granada. After spending 13 seasons in the top flight of Spanish football, there is a genuine concern that this could be the year where the club drop into the Segunda Division. Only they can quell such suggestions.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Osasuna. Bilbao have won four of the last five matches, including both league matches last season. Osasuna’s solitary win during that period came in March 2012, but that was on their own patch. They have certainly struggled at the home of Bilbao in recent campaigns.
TEAMS:
BILBAO: Iago; Iraola, Balenziaga, Laporte, Gurpegi; Susaeta, Benat, Iturraspe, Herrera; Aduriz, Muniain
OSASUNA: Fernandez; Loties, Bertran, Oriol, Arribas; Punal, Sisi, Silva, Armenteros; Riera, Nunez
It must be said that there is a truly sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. When things are going well, the San Mames is a wonderful place to play football. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The home side get the action underway in Bilbao.
Just a quick word on the main team news. Aduriz is called into the Bilbao team this evening with Kike Sola dropping to the bench. Meanwhile, Iker Muniain is once again deployed in a more central role. The away side, meanwhile, have Oriol Riera and Nunez in attack. Let's hope for an entertaining evening of Spanish football on this warm evening.
POST! Almost a sensational start for the home side as Susaeta beats the offside trap before striking an effort on goal, but Andres Fernandez manages to divert it onto the post. It falls to Sola inside the box, but he is quickly surrounded by defenders. Well, that has lifted the volume up another notch.
There is certainly a different feel around San Mames this season there is no question about that. Llorente might have gone, but the whole team looks full of energy. Osasuna just cannot get out of their own half at the moment with the likes of Herrera and Benat squeezing the midfield at each opportunity. High-tempo opening five minutes between these two La Liga rivals.
First sign of pressure from Osasuna as Nunez collects possession in a wide area before attempting to find the run of Riera inside the box, but the offside flag is raised. Bilbao force the issue moments later down the other end with a deep cross from Gurpegi, but Oriol is on hand to make the clearance. Hardly time to take a breath in the opening seven minutes of football.
Slightly untidy last couple of minutes with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from both sides. It does nothing to quell the intensity, however, as Muniain collects possession before driving into the Osasuna box, but Punal is back to make the challenge. Early signs are that we will see goals this evening. It has been an explosive start.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the away side to take the lead as Sisi comes close to collecting a loose save from Iago, but the midfielder's lunged effort is cleared by Laporte. Bilbao are certainly the favourites this evening, but there is no question that Osasuna have the tools to threaten on the counter.
Good grief I am not sure what both of these sides had for dinner, but I want some. There is just no end to the pressure at the moment with both sides committing five or six players to each attack. The latest opportunity arrives from a Bilbao set piece, but Aduriz's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock.
Good pressure from Osasuna in the last couple of moments with the away side forcing the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession. However, the first is headed clear by Aduriz before Nunez plants a header over the crossbar. Both sides are demonstrating their attacking instincts, but Bilbao continue to look the more potent in the final third of the pitch.
Another half-chance for the home side as Muniain finds the run of Aduriz behind the Osasuna defence, but Fernandez is out to collect at the vital moment. Osasuna attempt to force the issue moments later as Silva delivers a cross towards Armenteros, but the powerful forward loses the aerial battle with Saborit.
Bilbao are really struggling with crosses into their own box at the moment with another from Silva causing concern, but Iraola just manages to turn behind his own goal. Osasuna attempt to take a short corner moments later, but Muniain picks Sisi's pocket. The young Spaniard looks to have a new lease of life this season.
Just a reminder that Bilbao got their season underway with a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid last weekend, but Osasuna were beaten 2-1 by Granada on their own patch. In truth, Osasuna were poor last week, but they look a difficult team this evening with the introduction of Silva and Riera giving them real pace in the final third. Still goalless at San Mames with 22 minutes on the clock.
Again it's good running from Susaeta as the Bilbao winger drives past two defenders before attempting to find Benat on the edge of the box, but Sisi is across to clear at the vital moment. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Nunez drives a low cross into the Bilbao box, but Iago is on hand to claim at his near post.
Another half-chance for the home side as Muniain collects a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Aduriz wants a penalty moments later as the forward falls under pressure from Bertran, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the home crowd. In truth, it would have been a soft one.
In case you have just joined us, there has already been a La Liga fixture this evening with Getafe needing a late penalty from Castro to secure a 2-2 draw with Almeria, who were unlucky not to record all three points. In terms of this one, the chances have just evaporated in the last five minutes or so with constant free kicks interrupting the flow of proceedings.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Aduriz to send Bilbao into the lead as he beats the offside trap before round the goalkeeper, but Loties is on hand to produce a fine challenge at the vital moment. That should have been the opener. Aduriz has looked the most likely there is no question about that.
I expected Osasuna to get well beat this evening, but they have proved me wrong in the opening 31 minutes of action. On the balance of play, a draw is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen thus far, but Osasuna have been inventive and exciting on the counter - not words that would have been attributed to them last season. Little under 15 minutes of the half remaining.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-0 Osasuna (Arribas OG)
Bilbao take the lead with 31 minutes on the clock as Susaeta's low cross is turned into his own net by Arribas. It was a wonderful cross from the Bilbao winger, if Arribas had not finished it, then Aduriz would have there is no question about that.
Osasuna just need to be careful at the moment as Arribas loses possession just outside his own box, allowing Muniain to collect possession and have a strike on goal, but it just moved wide of the post. The away side have played well thus far, but the game could start to move away from them if they concede a quick second.
One-way traffic in the last few moments as Bilbao go in search of their second. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - will be decisive in terms of the final result. Osasuna have caused problems in the Bilbao half, but they are very much a confidence team as we saw last season. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining at San Mames.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Bilbao more than happy to keep possession in their own half. A loose pass from Benat does allow Sisi the chance to deliver a dangerous cross into the box, but Iraola is on hand to clear the danger. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
Untidy couple of moments from Osasuna with the away side guilty of making a couple of poor challenges in quick succession. The referee has done well to keep a lid of things in the last five or so minutes with the temperature rising. Aduriz attempts to force the issue with a cross towards Herrera, but Punal makes a vital block.
Herrera does enter the book moments later, however, for a late challenge on Sisi. In truth, there was not much in it, but the pressure to produce a card had been rising. Where has this first period gone? It has just flown past. Despite the number of opportunities, there has been just the single goal thus far.
Again it is really good goalkeeping from Iago as the Bilbao stopper twice comes through a number of bodies to take the pressure off his defence. Fernandez is called into action down the other end moments later, but it is a relatively easy take for the stopper following a deep cross from Herrera.
HALF-TIME: Bilbao 1-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Bilbao leading courtesy of an own goal from Arribas. Osasuna have had their moments, however, which sets it up nicely for the second period. As it stands, Bilbao are heading for six points from two games.
STATISTICS: Osasuna have had 55% of the possession in the first period, while they have had five attempts to Bilbao's two. The home side have looked the more potent in the final third, but Osasuna certainly have reason to be optimistic following their performance in the first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Kike Sola, Ibai Gomez and Oscar de Marcos. Meanwhile, Osasuna have the likes of Roberto Torres, Damia and Loe in reserve. I suspect that we will see changes in the middle-part of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sides join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, but as mentioned, both have players that can make an impact from the bench. Let's hope that the second period brings the same excitement as the first. It has been an enthralling watch thus far. Osasuna get the half underway.
Bright start to the second period from Bilbao as Herrera collects possession down the left before driving a low cross into the box, but Oriol is across to clear at the vital moment. Susaeta appears to be in some discomfort moments later, however, with the winger caught with a late challenge from Oriol. The referee certainly needs to keep an eye on things in the second period.
Osasuna's first attack of the second period presents Reira with the opportunity to test Iago from outside the box, but his header is straight into the arms of the Bilbao stopper. Riera turns provider moments later with a cross towards Armenteros, but Laporte rises highest to clear. The interval has done nothing to quell the pace of this one.
Good spell for the away side as Sisi drives down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but once more Iraola is across to make the challenge. Osasuna have had no trouble delivering quality into the Bilbao box this evening, but they have found a defence in imperious form. Bilbao certainly look more rounded this season.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Herrera to make it 2-0 as the Bilbao midfielder collects a pass from Susaeta before sweeping an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moved wide of the post. That would have been a real blow for Osasuna. Little over 35 minutes remaining in what has been an enthralling La Liga fixture.
Surely the pace of this match is going to drop as the second period gathers pace? If nothing else, both of these sides have shown their incredible fitness levels this evening. Bilbao continue to threaten in wide areas with Susaeta and Muniain, but Aduriz has struggled to make an impact since the interval.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Bilbao to score their second as Gurpegi drives down the left before delivering a dangerous cross towards Muniain, but Loties just manages to make a clearance at the vital moment. Osasuna are straight down the other end with Silva, but his cross is into the arms of Iago.
Osasuna cannot get out of their own half at the moment with the home side forcing the issue in wide areas. It would not be a surprise to see a couple of changes for Osasuna in the next five minutes or so, while Sola is being put through a warm-up on the sidelines for Bilbao. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining at San Mames.
CHANCE! Bilbao should be out of sight here as Susaeta collects possession inside the box before thumping an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moved wide of the post when he had Herrera in acres of space. Are these missed chances going to haunt for Bilbao? It has happened before there is no question about that.
Change for the away side as Oier enters the field to replace Bertran, who did appear to be struggling with an injury. Bilbao follow with a change of their own as Herrera is replaced by Oscar de Marcos, who will operate closer to Aduriz. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining, with Bilbao still leading by the single goal.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Arribas to level the scores as the Spaniard beats Iago to a high ball, but his header just drops the wrong side of the post. That is the danger for Bilbao, as good as they have been in this second period, they are leading by just the one goal. Another change for Osasuna moments later as Nunez is replaced by Torres.
Osasuna appear to have found a second gear in the last couple of moments with Susi and Punal both causing problems in wide areas, but Bilbao continue to deal with the aerial threat. You just get the feeling that there will be a couple more golden chances in the final 20 minutes or so, but will they be taken? Osasuna, as it stands, are heading for back-to-back defeats.
Another change for Bilbao as Ibai Gomez enters the field in place of Muniain, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Osasuna again force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession, but they just cannot find a yellow shirt in the box. On the balance of play, they are worth a point at this stage of the match.
A coming together between Aduriz and Fernandez leaves the Osasuna goalkeeper in a heap, but following a period of treatment the stopper is deemed fit to continue. Riera has a half-chance down the other end moments later after breaking into the Bilbao box, but Iago is out to make a fine save at the vital moment.
Bilbao have just taken the sting out of the match in the last couple of moments with a period of possession, but their threat in the final third has been non-existent for the last 10 minutes or so. Moments later the home side make another change as Susaeta is replaced by Moran for the final 12 minutes of normal time.
It is a case of anywhere will do for Bilbao at the moment as they continue to drop deeper and deeper. We have seen it all too often in recent weeks and it usually leads to a goal. Oh what Osasuna would do to have Kike Sola, who is now with Bilbao, on the pitch. The home supporters are full of noise as we enter the final 10 minutes.
CHANCE! Incredible opportunity for the home side as Ibai takes possession on the counter before beating the Osasuna goalkeeper, but he loses control at the vital moment, allowing Oriol back to make the challenge. That should have been the three points secured there is no question about that.
It's really bright work from Torres as the Osasuna attacker loses Iraola before striking an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves wide of the post. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Ibai whips a dangerous cross into the Osasuna box, but there are no takers at the far post. Hardly time to take a breath with 84 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Bilbao 2-0 Osasuna (De Marcos)
Finally Bilbao have their second as De Marcos beats the offside trap before stroking his effort into the bottom corner. In truth, the goal had been coming. That is game, set and match. Osasuna are heading for their second defeat this season, while Bilbao are heading for their second win.
The noise inside the stadium is just sensational at the moment with the home supporters sensing that this could be a successful season for their team. This is the type of match that Bilbao would have drawn or indeed lost last season, but they have more intent in the final third in the new campaign. Without Llorente, it has allowed others to occupy space in attacking areas.
Good pressure from Osasuna in the last couple of moments as they continue to float high balls into the box, but Bilbao must be praised for their defending. The away side's boss Mendilibar is going absolutely potty on the sidelines as his side continue to launch the ball towards goal. It has been done too many times for it not to have been in the game plan!
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Bilbao comfortable in possession of the ball. Osasuna continue to force the issue each time they gain control, but they just cannot find a way through this stern defence. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the match.
Osasuna can be proud of their performance this evening, but ultimately they have not had enough in the final third. Half-chance for the home side to make it 3-0 as Aduriz meets a cross from Ibai, but his header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. That is just about it for this one.
FULL-TIME: Bilbao 2-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with Bilbao winning 2-0 courtesy of an own-goal from Arribas and a late strike from substitute De Marcos. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for a host of live commentaries from across Europe. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
