BATE Borisov picked up their first Champions League victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao this evening.
The Belarusian champions took the lead through Dzyanis Palyakow on 19 minutes, and it got even better before the interval when Aleksander Karnitskiy added a second.
Aritz Aduriz did manage to pull a goal back for the visitors, although BATE held out for all three points which sees them move up to third place in the Group H standings.
Read how the game unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League group-stage meeting between BATE Borisov and Athletic Bilbao. These two sides are in desperate need of a victory this evening to get their respective campaigns back on track following a poor run of form.
Bilbao have won just one of their first six league games to find themselves down in 16th place in the La Liga table, while BATE have failed to win their last four games, suffering a humiliating defeat against Porto last time out in this competition to make matters even worse.
Kickoff at the Borisov Arena is less than an hour away, so let's take a look at how the two teams line up this evening...
Tonight's game will take place in the all-new Borisov Arena, which will stage its first ever Champions League group-stage game. In fact, tonight marks an historic occasion for the hosts, as for the first time ever they will play a home match in their home city in this competition, having originally staged games 70km away in Minsk.
BATE are not too shabby at home, either, having not lost a single game on their own turf in over a year. Group H has a nice feel to it, although the Belarusian outfit were downed 6-0 by Porto in their opening game, and anything less than three points this evening could seriously dent their hopes of progression to the next round.
Well the team news has now come through, so let's take a look at how the two sides line up...
TEAM NEWS!
BATE BORISOV STARTING XI: Chernik, Khagush, Palyakow, Filipenko, Mladenovic, Gordeichuk, Yablonskiy, A. Volodko, M. Volodko, Karnitskiy, Signevich
ATHLETIC BILBAO STARTING XI: Iraizoz, Iraola, San Jose, Laporte, Balenziaga, Iturraspe, Rico, Benat, Munian, Aduriz, Ibai Gomez
Ager Aketxe, who appeared in Bilbao's opening game of the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk a fortnight ago, misses out having broken his toe. Key man Aritz Aduriz does start, however, with Ibai Gomez leading the visitors' line.
Nikolai Signevich scored a late leveller for BATE against third-placed FC Naftan Novopolotsk last Friday, and he is in the starting lineup this evening, with Aleksander Karnitskiy playing slightly behind him. The hosts are currently on a run of 23 domestic games without defeat, yet they face a different task altogether in Europe, as highlighted in that last game against Porto.
Calm before the storm in the away dressing room...
BENCH WATCH!
BATE BORISOV SUBSTITUTES: Soroko, Aleksiyevich, Pavlov, Radionov, Olekhnovich, Tubic, Yakovlev
ATHLETIC BILBAO SUBSTITUTES: Herrerin, Toquero, De Marcos, Susaeta, Etxeita, Garpegui, Guillermo
Well no BATE player has more goals than Vitali Rodionov this season (8), yet the striker begins tonight's contest on the bench. Midfielder Mikhail Gordeychuk has scored just as many, though, and he could prove to be the biggest threat for Bilbao this evening.
Ernesto Valverde's side have struggled so far this season, failing to push on from their fourth-place finish in La Liga last time out. One of their biggest problems, as experienced two weeks ago in the goalless draw against Shakhtar, has been the lack of goals. In fact, Aduriz's goal against Rayo Vallecano on the weekend was his side's first in 304 minutes.
It has been an equally mundane spell for Yermakovich's charges of late, with the Belarusian champs without a win in four games now. There's no denying their dominance on the domestic stage, however, as Borisov close in on their ninth-successive league title.
But if domestically BATE have pushed aside all before them, it's in Europe, perhaps unsurprisingly, where they have struggled. This is their fourth season in the Champions League, but if the Porto game is anything to go by, then the experience is surely going to prove just as swift as the previous European ventures.
STAT ATTACK: BATE have faced Spanish opposition on eight occasions in European competition in the past, losing all eight games, conceding 25 goals and scoring just three.
As far as Athletic are concerned, they have won just one of their last six away games in Europe, which sets up what should be a nice, balanced contest this evening in Belarus.
They key player for Les Leones - in terms of cracking open stubborn defences, at least - is forward Aritz Aduriz, who has played a part in exactly half of Bilbao's eight goals so far this season. Valverde is likely to field a 4-3-3 formation this evening, with Gomez and the equally as dangerous Iker Muniain either side of Aduriz in a strong attacking line-up.
The setting for tonight's Group H game...
Incidentally, around 12,500 fans are expected at the Borisov Arena this evening, with Bilbao selling out their allocation. They will certainly hope to see their side return to the form of last season, although many cynics believe that a top-four spot is already out of reach.
PREDICTION: As mentioned, I'm expecting this one to be a tight game - certainly tighter than BATE's last game in this competition - with Bilbao showing their quality to record a 2-1 win.
Incidentally, the referee for tonight's match is Stephane Lannoy of France, who will be officiating his 21st match in the Champions League.
A note on the Borisov Arena, I've already mentioned that it is staging its first Champions League group-stage game this evening, yet the atmosphere isn't all that great. You think of Eastern European countries such as Belarus as providing tight, compact stadia with intimidating atmospheres, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
Elsewhere, Porto and Shakhtar meet in the group's other game, with everything still very much to play for. A victory for either of BATE or Bilbao will make the world of difference following a barren spell in their respective domestic leagues, although a defeat and things will begin to look bleak.
Kickoff is now just a couple of minutes away, and the two sets of teams are out onto the field as the Champions League anthem belts around the arena. More questions than answers ahead of this one, it must be said, with a positive start needed from both.
KICKOFF! BATE, wearing their all-blue strip, gets us underway at the Borisov Arena.
Within seconds Muniain was down the right probing away, but it was to no avail. Bilbao forced right back to their goalkeeper; something we may see a lot more of this evening.
SHOT! Benat gets an early shot away which fails to test Siarhei Chernik. The visitors enjoying the early possession in attacking areas.
Last few minutes have seen the hosts take control of the ball, and having swung a ball into the box from a free kick, Gorka Iraizoz punched the ball away but went straight down. He's receiving treatment on the field, with the back-up keeper warming up.
Iraizoz seems fine now after receiving treatment, and with that the game can resume. This contest has yet to settle down eight minutes in, no pattern so far as such, just a case of both teams weighing each other up.
Muniain not having a lot of joy out wide at the moment, and after cutting inside his probing through-ball rolled straight through to Chernik. He is one of a few undoubted stars in this Bilbao team, so they will hope that he can find his range quickly.
There's been plenty of stray passes so far which is very frustrating for both sets of supporters. Still no chances and just that one early shot so far.
Well Signevich thought he was in there. The ball was bobbling around in the penalty area, and the forward managed too latch onto it, only to see his effort blocked.
Some good tracking back from Muniain sees Bilbao push forward on the counter, but once more a poor pass sees what could have been a promising spell of play come to an end. A real lack of quality so far, which will hopefully improve as the game progresses.
GOAL! BATE BORISOV 1-0 ATHLETIC BILBAO (PALYAKOW)
Well the game may have lacked quality, but it matters little for BATE who take the lead through Dzyanis Palyakow. The hosts won a corner which was hotly disputed by Athletic's players, and the resulting set piece was flicked on at the front post where the centre-back was waiting to firing into the roof of the net.
Poor defending from Athletic you have got to say, but credit to the Belarusian outfit for making the most of their set piece. Valverde's side have looked poor so far all over the pitch.
BATE win a corner and try the exact same routine which very nearly comes off again. The flicked header at the front post failed to find its was through a crowd of players, though, and the visitors cleared.
Bilbao have done very little in attack and look very one-dimensional right now. They manage to get a cross into the box, but Gomez could not be picked out in the centre.
SHOT! Better from the Basque club, as Benat gets a strike away from distance. The shot was dragged well wide, but at least they're having a go at goal now.
Athletic win a corner, but they couldn't make their first one count in the same way as their opponents did. The ball came into the box far too close to Chernik who picked it out of the air to end the attacking spell.
OFF THE POST! Almost a sensational goal from the hosts, who have come within the width of the post of taking a two-goal lead. Signevich smashed the ball from a tight angle inside the box on the volley, and although Iraizoz was beaten, the ball crashed back off the inside of the woodwork. Great effort.
The Lions simply need to up the ante, because right now BATE look the more likely to score. The hosts have hardly set the world alight so far, but they have scored one and hit the post in the opening 30 minutes; Bilbao have done next to nothing.
A ball over the top yet again comes to nothing for Athletic. As I said a few minutes ago, it's all very predictable. Chernik conceded six in his last European outing don't forget, yet he's had not one save to make so far this evening.
UPDATE! Still goalless in the other game taking place in Group H this evening between Shakhtar and Porto. In fact, that is the only game without a goal so far this evening in the Champions League.
CHANCE! A dangerous cross into the box asks all sorts of questions of Bilbao's back line. In the end it was cleared away by Mikel San Jose, but that just shows the difference between the two sides in the last 20 minutes or so.
GOAL! BATE BORISOV 2-0 ATHLETIC BILBAO (KARNITSKIY)
It goes from bad to worse for Valverde's charges, with Karnitskiy doubling BATE's lead shortly before the interval. The hosts look far ore dangerous coming forward, and after working some space, Karnitskiy sees his strike from the edge of the box deflect off Andoni Iraola past a wrong-footed Iraizoz.
The ball appeared to trickle past Iraizoz in slow motion. When your luck is against you, your luck really is against you. Bilbao heading for their sixth game without a win.
GOAL! BATE BORISOV 2-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO (ADURIZ)
Hold your horses, this one is not over just yet! Bilbao looked down and out with just one minute to go until the interval, but Aduriz fires home to leave this game wide open. The ball came into him on the edge of the box, and a fine first touch allowed him to push into the box and strike across Chernik into the back of the net. Game on!
HALF TIME: BATE BORISOV 2-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO
A crushing blow for BATE right at the end of the first half, as they have looked the better side and were worthy of their two-goal cushion. It should be said, though, Aduriz has had no service whatsoever this evening up until that point, yet he put his chance away brilliantly. The sign of a top-class forward.
The game started very slowly with neither side able to keep control of the ball, although the hosts started to take control and eventually took the lead through Palyakow on 19 minutes. That lead was doubled five minutes before the interval when Karnitskiy saw his effort deflect home, just minutes after Signevich had struck the post.
Bilbao really didn't deserve a goal on their first-half showing, but Aduriz did what all the best forwards to in a time of need, take his only chance with aplomb. In fact, the Spaniard has now played a part in five of his side's nine goals so far this season.
MATCH STATS! BATE attempted six shots in the first 45 minutes, finding the net with their only two on-target strikes. Bilbao on the other hand have had three attempts with one on target. In terms of possession there is not a lot in it, the Belarusian side edging it 55-45%.
BILBAO SUBS! Unsurprisingly, Valverde has made a double substitution at the break. Ibai and Mikel Rico have been withdrawn in place of Oscar de Marcos and Markel Susaeta.
SECOND HALF! So the Bilbao boss has acknowledged that his side need to vastly improve if they are to get anything out of this one, with two subs at the break. Will it make a difference?
SHOT! Karnitskiy gets the second-half's first strike away. Bilbao failed to clear the ball out of the box, and the striker wasn't a million miles away from adding his second, winning his side a corner which came to nothing.
PENALTY APPEAL! A collision inside the BATE box sees Aduriz go to ground clutching his collar bone. His run appeared to be halted by the tracking defender and a penalty could well have been given. It would have been harsh, but you simply can't do that.
CHANCE! Bilbao growing in confidence, but BATE carve out a brilliant opportunity on the break. Signevich is picked out on the run, and he has plenty of space to cut into the box, only to see his effort handled down low by Iraizoz. You could argue that the striker should have done better there, but he may get another chance to redeem himself yet.
UPDATE: Shakhtar have taken the lead against Porto courtesy of Alex Teixeira's goal. As things stand then, Bilbao are rooted to the foot of the table.
SHOT! Athletic very nearly the victims of their own downfall. A quick throw allows Maksim Volodko to get a poked effort in at goal from close range and Iraizoz didn't appear to be set, but fortunately for him the ball ended narrowly wide of the target.
The hosts take a quick free kick on the halfway line but Iraizoz is quick to read it, rushing out to clear the ball to deny Signevich who was charging through.
San Jose is caught out on the edge of his own box, but luckily for him he is not punished for it, with Iraizoz keeping out the resulting ball into the box. BATE are the side asking all the questions at the moment.
That 6-0 defeat a fortnight ago looks a long way off right now, because Yermakovich's side have really taken the game to their opponents. They are still dominating the ball, and Bilbao simply have to step it up in the remaining 30 minutes or so.
SHOT! Very little options in the box for Les Leones. They look so predictable. Iturraspe does manage to get a shot away, Bilbao's first in a long time, but it is completely miss-hit and flies well over the bar.
Signevich does well to drop deep and help his side turn possession over as the game heads into the final 20 minutes. On balance, a third BATE goal would be well deserved.
YELLOW CARD! Polyakow becomes the first player to enter the referee's book.
CHANCE! Signevich is played through on goal, but he gets the ball caught under his feet and fails to get the better of Iraizoz. So much space at times for BATE; this game is very one-sided, yet there is still just one goal in it.
Yet again Bilbao's distribution lets them down, but BATE just can't wrap up the game. They look fragile at the back, can't string passes together or create any openings, yet the visitors are still in this one.
Aduriz has been Bilbao's best player this evening, although even he has had a distinctly average game. He looks to weave through the Borisov back line, but his feet give way allowing the opposition defence to clear.
I'm not sure why Valverde has waited this long to make a change, but there appears to be some movement down on the Bilbao bench.
BILBAO SUB! The visiting side make their third and final change as Gaizka Toquero replaces Iraolo. A striker for a defender; Valverde is going for it in these final 13 minutes or so.
BATE SUB! The hosts make their first substitution of the evening with Maksim Voldko leaving the field in place of Yakovlev.
SAVE! Great save from Chernik to deny Susaeta's long-range drive. He's had next to nothing to do this half, but the keeper pushes the driven effort over the bar to keep his side's advantage intact.
YELLOW CARD! Benat is the next player to enter the book for needlessly bringing down an opponent.
YELLOW CARD! Tensions joins boiling over a little now, as Toquero is shown a yellow for a strong challenge. That's down to frustration more than anything.
BATE SUB! Goalscorer Karnitskiy leaves the field with Vitali Rodionov the man to replace him.
CHANCE! Good chance for Toquero to level up the game. The ball was cut back into his path just inside the box, but his effort ended narrowly over the crossbar. Could that be Bilbao's last chance?
Incidentally, Porto have fallen two goals behind in Ukraine, so Group H is well and truly wide open just as expected.
Bilbao win a corner and get the opportunity to pile the pressure on their opponents, but the cross into the box is well handled by Chernik. One minute still to play...
BATE SUB! The hosts just eating up the remaining seconds here as Olekhnovich replaces Gordeichuk.
YELLOW CARD! Laporte's frustration sees him earn a yellow card. Time is surely up now.
FULL TIME: BATE BORISOV 2-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO
Stephane Lannoy blows his whistle to spark scenes of delight inside the Borisov Arena. BATE have bounced back from their 6-0 thrashing two weeks ago with a 2-1 triumph over Athletic Bilbao to see Group H blown wide open.
The hosts were well worth their lead, and in truth they could have had more goals. Bilbao simply didn't turn up this evening, and it is now six games without a win for Erneso Valverde's side.
That's all from me for now, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you analysis, player ratings and all the reaction from the Borisov Arena.
