After the highs of Thursday evening Athletic continued to frustrate in the league away to relegation threatened Real Zaragoza. The home side showed more desire and deservedly won 2-0 to keep up their hopes of survival.
Bielsa decided to rest three key players notably Muniain, Llorente and Martinez perhaps showing that the two cup finals to come next month are at the forefront of his mind rather than the fading hopes of Champions League football. Without Martinez they lack composure in defence, without Muniain creative options are limited and without Llorente the attack lacks a spearhead but atleast the decision to rest them will ensure that they are available for the big games to come.
The first half lacked flow as neither side was able to dominate the other. Athletic looked at their most dangerous from set pieces as first Ibai Gomez and then Inigo Perez troubled goalkeeper Roberto. As the game approached the half hour mark Zaragoza began to dominate as striker Helder Postiga struck the base of the post shorty before Edu Oriol broke the deadlock. In the 28th minute the midfielder weaves between three defenders and finished low with his left foot.
In the second half Athletic really began to dominate possession but failed to create any meaningful changes. They had fallen further behind after a free-kick from Apono was weakly parried by Irazioz in to the corner of his own net. Rested players Susaeta, Llorente and Muniain did make appearances off the bench but they were unable to change the game and 2-0 it remained.
Jack Dennison @jpkd
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