Bilbao2Brooklyn
19 Dec 2004, 06:34 PM
from www.espn.com (http://www.espn.com)
Real Zaragoza 0-2 Athletic Bilbao: FT Report
PAZARAGOZA, December 19 (Primera Liga) - Athletic Bilbao claimed their first away win of the season and moved above Real Zaragoza in the table with a welcome three points on Sunday.
Zaragoza went into the match with five wins from their seven home games, while the visitors had picked up only one point on their travels, but two second-half goals sealed the win for Bilbao.
It could have been even worse for the hosts had Conde Luis Garcia not saved Andoni Iraola's first-half penalty, but Santiago Ezquerro's brace ensured Bilbao were not left to rue that opportunity.
Francisco Yeste felt he should have had a penalty after 10 minutes when he collided with Gabriel Milito in the area, but the referee refused the appeal much to the midfielder's displeasure.
Athletic went goal crazy in midweek with a 7-1 UEFA Cup win against Standard Liege, and they started this match with similar intent.
On the quarter-hour mark Iraola's mazy run set up Joseba Etxeberria for a shot that very nearly surprised Luis Garcia, and moments later Yeste shaved the bar with a fierce drive.
Then in the 36th minute Athletic were awarded a dubious penalty. Once again it was Yeste involved when Leonardo Ponzio was punished for pulling his shirt.
Iraola sent his effort to Luis Garcia's left but the keeper guessed right and pulled off a fine save.
Zaragoza, who will join Bilbao in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, had a lot of possession in a lively first half but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
They had a chance to take the lead just before half-time when Luciano Galletti's corner found Milito, but the defender's header failed to find the target.
And it was from a corner that the visitors took the lead eight minutes after the break. Ezquerro got a clean head on the ball and gave Luis Garcia no chance with a precise finish.
The goal seemed to inject some urgency into Zaragoza's play and they almost scored an immediate equaliser through David Villa.
The striker made the chance himself with an incisive run, turn and shot but Daniel Aranzubia in the away goal kept the ball out at his near post.
The home side were piling on the pressure and Milito's left-foot shot was followed moments later by Savio Bortolini's effort that flew narrowly wide.
But just as it seemed Zaragoza would pull themselves level, Bilbao scored a second. With 12 minutes to go Ezquerro beat Luis Garcia to a long ball, controlling on his chest before rolling his shot into an empty net.
The home side refused to give up and Milito had two late opportunities to drag his side back into the game, but Aranzubia denied the defender on both occasions.
Despite largely controlling the game Zaragoza could not even manage a consolation as their inconsistent form continued.
Athletic put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone with this result, which saw them climb to 21 points, two above their opponents.
Real Zaragoza 0-2 Athletic Bilbao: FT Report
PAZARAGOZA, December 19 (Primera Liga) - Athletic Bilbao claimed their first away win of the season and moved above Real Zaragoza in the table with a welcome three points on Sunday.
Zaragoza went into the match with five wins from their seven home games, while the visitors had picked up only one point on their travels, but two second-half goals sealed the win for Bilbao.
It could have been even worse for the hosts had Conde Luis Garcia not saved Andoni Iraola's first-half penalty, but Santiago Ezquerro's brace ensured Bilbao were not left to rue that opportunity.
Francisco Yeste felt he should have had a penalty after 10 minutes when he collided with Gabriel Milito in the area, but the referee refused the appeal much to the midfielder's displeasure.
Athletic went goal crazy in midweek with a 7-1 UEFA Cup win against Standard Liege, and they started this match with similar intent.
On the quarter-hour mark Iraola's mazy run set up Joseba Etxeberria for a shot that very nearly surprised Luis Garcia, and moments later Yeste shaved the bar with a fierce drive.
Then in the 36th minute Athletic were awarded a dubious penalty. Once again it was Yeste involved when Leonardo Ponzio was punished for pulling his shirt.
Iraola sent his effort to Luis Garcia's left but the keeper guessed right and pulled off a fine save.
Zaragoza, who will join Bilbao in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, had a lot of possession in a lively first half but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
They had a chance to take the lead just before half-time when Luciano Galletti's corner found Milito, but the defender's header failed to find the target.
And it was from a corner that the visitors took the lead eight minutes after the break. Ezquerro got a clean head on the ball and gave Luis Garcia no chance with a precise finish.
The goal seemed to inject some urgency into Zaragoza's play and they almost scored an immediate equaliser through David Villa.
The striker made the chance himself with an incisive run, turn and shot but Daniel Aranzubia in the away goal kept the ball out at his near post.
The home side were piling on the pressure and Milito's left-foot shot was followed moments later by Savio Bortolini's effort that flew narrowly wide.
But just as it seemed Zaragoza would pull themselves level, Bilbao scored a second. With 12 minutes to go Ezquerro beat Luis Garcia to a long ball, controlling on his chest before rolling his shot into an empty net.
The home side refused to give up and Milito had two late opportunities to drag his side back into the game, but Aranzubia denied the defender on both occasions.
Despite largely controlling the game Zaragoza could not even manage a consolation as their inconsistent form continued.
Athletic put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone with this result, which saw them climb to 21 points, two above their opponents.