A thrilling match at San Mamés Barria ended with a narrow victory for Athletic Club over Alaves.
Athletic Club faced Alaves in the 35th round of La Liga on a sunny afternoon in Bilbao. The San Mamés Barria stadium was packed with eager spectators when the match kicked off at 18:30 CET. Athletic were chasing three important points to strengthen their position at the top of the table, while Alaves were fighting to avoid the relegation places.
Drama and decision at San Mamés Barria
The match started at an intense pace with both teams eagerly seeking control. In the 33rd minute, an Athletic Club player was shown a yellow card, setting the tone for a match that featured many physical duels. The second half saw several tactical changes as both Athletic and Alaves made a number of substitutions between the 55th and 87th minutes.
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute when an Alaves player accidentally scored an own goal, giving Athletic a 1-0 lead. Tensions rose in the dying minutes of the match, with further yellow cards being handed out, but the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Strong position in the table
After this victory, Athletic Club have played 34 games and are in fourth place with 61 points, securing them a place in the Champions League. With 16 wins, 13 draws and only five defeats, they have shown impressive form throughout the season.
Alaves, on the other hand, are fighting for survival in La Liga. After 34 matches, Alaves have collected 35 points, which places them in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone. With eight wins and 11 draws, they need to find extra gear to ensure survival.
Important matches lie ahead
Athletic Club face a crucial match against Getafe in their next match. A win here could further consolidate their position in the Champions League places. Villarreal, who also have 61 points, are a direct competitor, and only four points separate them from Real Betis, who are also chasing European places.
For Alaves, the next match against Valencia is crucial. A defeat could mean a dangerous relegation, as Leganes are only one point behind them. It will be a nerve-wracking end to the season for both teams.
