Granada welcomed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening with both sides occupying spots in the relegation zone in La Liga.
It was Bilbao that took the lead after 13 minutes when Aritz Aduriz converted from the penalty spot and he had his second just before the 30-minute mark with a finish from outside the area.
The home side had one back in the early stages of the second half when Youssef El Arabi converted from outside the box, but the scoring ended there.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live commentary of the weekend comes from the Estadio Nuevo as Granada welcome fellow relegation-threatened Bilbao in La Liga. One thing is for certain, both of these teams are in desperate need of all three points.
It threatens to be another hard campaign for the home side, but it has been the form of Bilbao that has surprised most in Spain. Especially after the season they managed in the previous campaign.
Supporters of the Basque outfit will remember the way they took apart Manchester United in the Europa League last season. Meanwhile, they boast some of the finest young players in Spain. So where has their form gone?
Teams:
Granada: Tono; Ayom, Mainz, Siqueira, Diakhate; Brahimi, Benitez, Rico, Iriney; El Arabi, Torje
Bilbao: Iraizoz; Borde, Amorebieta, Iraola, Iturraspe; Susaeta, Gurpegui, Marcos; Gomez, Muniain, Aduriz
All is certainly not well at Bilbao. Star striker Fernando Llorente has refused to sign a new contract and has therefore been consigned to the bench, but it has been their defensive form that has most suffered. Largely due to the absence of Javi Martinez, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer.
It seems unthinkable that Bilbao could be relegated from La Liga this season, but Granada will not be interested in pleasantries this evening. This match is about the three points, nothing more and nothing less than that.
Just a reminder that we will also have coverage of Sevilla versus Levante from 8.30pm this evening. The big matches in Spain keep on coming.
Regular followers will know what time it is now. Pre-match prediction. Neither side can afford to lose this match and I can see it finishing in a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, here are the full-times from La Liga on Sunday: Real Sociedad 0-1 Espanyol, Deportivo 1-0 Mallorca and Osasuna 0-1 Real Valladolid.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Let's hope for goals on this mild evening in Spain. Little under three minutes and we will be underway.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate crowd? Check. Be sure to stay with us and you will not miss a kick.
Here we go then. The home side get us underway. Neither side can afford to lose this match. Both have trouble defending. Anyone for 4-4?
Granada have started the evening on the front foot with Iriney and Youssef El Arabi enjoying early touches. Meanwhile, they force an early corner from Amorebieta.
Bilbao have just started to settle with possession in the past few moments. However, neither side has had much of the ball in attacking areas. The first goal is just so important this evening.
It's smart play from Iriney as he turns Borde before firing a searching cross into the penalty area, but Iraola heads the danger clear. Both sides are exchanging spells of possession at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Dani Benitez strikes a long-range free kick, but Iraizoz collects the danger with ease. There isn't much of a tempo to the match in the opening 10 minutes.
The match has settled into a pattern of Granada enjoying the majority of the ball and Bilbao breaking when they can. One thing is for certain, however, both sides want to win this one.
PENALTY TO BILBAO Bilbao are awarded a penalty as Aduriz is felled in the box by Diakhate.
GOAL! Granada 0-1 Bilbao (Aduriz)
Bilbao do indeed take the lead as Aduriz converts from the penalty spot. What a gift from the home side. What was the defender doing?
Diakhate pulled the striker to the ground in the penalty area with the ball nowhere to be seen. He had no need to make that challenge. Not that Bilbao will mind. They lead in the early stages.
The goal has filled Bilbao full of confidence as they flood forward in numbers. However, Mainz does well to clear the danger. You can just see goals, goals, goals in this one.
It just isn't quite happening for Granada at the moment. Every ball towards Torje is being headed away. Bilbao are doing all the pressing as we approach the 20-minute mark.
The attacking intent continues to come from the away side as Muniain and Aduriz combine to good effect in the Granada half. The latter attempts to find De Marcos with a searching ball, but it drifts out of play.
Half-chance for the home side as Brahimi is felled in midfield by Amorebieta. However, Benitez's effort is straight at Iraizoz. That was poor from the midfielder.
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides giving away a host of free kicks. I would describe the match as 'bitty' thus far.
Big penalty shout from the home side as Aduriz fells Torje in the penalty area, but the referee waves play on. In fairness it was the home side's supporters that shouted the loudest, rather than the players.
GOAL! Granada 0-2 Bilbao (Aduriz)
Aduriz scores his eighth league goal of the season as he places a low effort past Tono from the edge of the box.
That was a stunning goal from the striker. Fernando Llorente who? That is a massive goal in the context of this match. How do the home side respond?
Half-chance for the home side as Iriney strikes a low effort from inside the box, but Iraizoz gathers the danger. Decent response from Granada.
Again it's decent work from El Arabi as he collects possession before beating two Bilbao defenders, but his effort is tame and straight at the goalkeeper. The next goal could ultimately decide this match.
The pressure is coming from the home side as we approach the interval. However, they are yet to really threaten to open their tally. They are in desperate need of some inspiration.
Granada claim another penalty as Torje is felled in the box once more, but the referee shakes his head once more. Meanwhile, Muniain tests the palms of Tono down the other end.
Not a great deal happening in terms of chances at the moment. Granada have responded with a spell of possession, but they are finding it hard to negotiate a stern Bilbao backline.
Half-chance for Aduriz to add his third as he meets a Susaeta cross in the box, but his header was wide of the target. Another goal really would kill this game off before the break.
Little under three minutes of the half remaining and still Bilbao lead 2-0. Granada have had a couple of sighters in the past few moments, but nothing to get excited about.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Bilbao have possession with a free kick in their own half.
Granada 0-2 Bilbao
So there we have it. A first-half double from Aritz Aduriz hands Bilbao a 2-0 lead over Granada at the interval. It has been a poor performance from the home side.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Bilbao have shaded possession with 51%, but both sides have managed five attempts.
As it stands, Bilbao would move into 13th spot in the table. Meanwhile, Granada would remain second from bottom with Osasuna propping up the table. They really cannot afford to lose this match tonight.
Just a final reminder that we will have live coverage of Sevilla vs. Levante from 8.30pm this evening. Be sure to stay with us for the remainder of the night. The second period of this one will get underway in around three minutes or so.
Here we go then. Bilbao kick us off in the second period. What will the final 45 minutes bring?
Half-chance for Granada early in the second half as Rico finds Benitez on the edge of the box, but the midfielder can only scope over the bar from close range. He should have scored.
The home side continue to force the issue in the early stages of this half. However, they are finding it hard to find that elusive final pass.
Chance! Just as I say that El Arabi finds the run of Brahimi in the box, but the midfielder can only smash his effort against the crossbar. Granada really should have cut the deficit there.
It is all Granada at the moment as Brahimi strikes an effort from outside the box, but it is deflected behind for a corner - which is cleared by De Marcos.
GOAL! Granada 1-2 Bilbao (El Arabi)
Granada have their goal and it's El Arabi who strikes an effort past Iraizoz. However, the goalkeeper might have done better. It has been coming.
I am not sure what was said to Granada at the break, but it has worked. They have started the second period like a house on fire. Meanwhile, change for Bilbao as Iturraspe is replaced by Mikel San Jose.
Still the home side flood forward with Iriney and Torje causing all sorts of problems. Meanwhile, Bilbao just cannot gather any sort of possession with the hour mark approaching.
Bilbao have just settled in the past few moments and they come close as Aduriz meets a Susaeta cross in the box, but his header smashes against the crossbar.
Granada continue to offer a threat in attack, but Bilbao are quelling the danger at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile, De Marcos is denied by a fine save from Tono down the other end.
Chance! Really good opportunity for the home side to level as Torje strikes an effort from close range, but Iraizoz palms the ball to safety. End-to-end stuff at the moment.
Surely there are more goals to come in the final 25 minutes of this one. Bilbao have settled following the Granada goal, but both sides are still providing a threat.
Another long-range effort from the home side as Rico strikes one from distance, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. Meanwhile, change for Bilbao as Llorente replaces Aduriz.
Granada have taken control of this match in the past few moments. However, Iraizoz has redeemed himself since the goal with a number of smart saves. Can Bilbao hold on?
Change for the home side as Antonio Floro Flores replaces Diakhate. The defender has had a bit of a horror show this evening. Meanwhile, Bilbao continue to quell the constant danger.
Bilbao have managed to slow the game down in the past few moments with a host of free kicks in the Granada half. However, the ball just keeps coming straight back.
Not a great deal is happening at the moment truth be told. Granada continue to force the issue, but they aren't really threatening to add an equaliser. Little under 15 minutes remaining.
Half-chance for the away side as Muniain strikes from outside the box, but Tono makes the save. Meanwhile, they make a change as Gomez is replaced by Xabi Castillo.
Change for the home side as Ighalo replaces Torje. They really are going for it now. What will happen in the remaining 10 minutes? Stay with us. I predict drama.
Bilbao have certainly taken control of possession in the past few moments with Muniain and De Marcos playing the passing game. However, you just get the feeling that another big chance is coming.
Another change for the home side as Iriney is replaced by Orellana. It appears they have about six midfielders on the pitch. I am not sure if they are too concerned about a formation. Just a goal will do.
Bilbao continue to dominate possession as we approach the final three minutes of football. Do Granada have anything left to give?
In truth, Granada do not appear to have anything left to give. Bilbao are comfortable as we approach the final moments of the match. Unless?
Meanwhile, we will play an additional three minutes of added time. Will we have late drama?
We have little under one minute of injury time remaining and Bilbao have possession. This one appears to be over.
Granada 1-2 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. Bilbao move out of the bottom three with all the points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Sevilla vs. Levante.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
