Real Sociedad travelled to face Athletic Bilbao on Friday knowing that three points would have moved them into fifth spot in the table.
An enthralling opening period brought two goals, with Ibai Gomez handing Atletico the lead after 30 minutes before Antoine Griezmann levelled for the away side minutes later.
Sociedad moved into the lead after 66 minutes when Imanol Agirretxe capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake, but the points were secured 15 minutes from time when Carlos Vela curled a low effort into the back of the net.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 25 in La Liga gets underway as Athletic Bilbao welcome Real Sociedad to San Mames. One team is pushing for European football this season while the other languishes towards the bottom, but you would not have guessed which team was which. It truly is shaping up to be some season for Sociedad.
Bilbao have just shaded the recent meetings between the two sides, winning three of the last five matches, losing the other two. However, the Basque outfit have been victorious the last two times that they have welcomed Sociedad to this stadium. Can high-flying Sociedad inflict more misery on Bilbao this evening?
When Bilbao recorded a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the end of January, there were some suggestions that they would make a late push for the top six. However, that has simply not transpired with defeats against Espanyol and Malaga and a draw against Real Valladolid since that occasion. They have taken just five points from their last six matches.
The home side currently sit in 15th position in the table, six points ahead of the bottom three. However, a couple of bad results could see them drop into trouble ahead of the latter stages of the season. Their struggles has partly been down to their home form, which is among the poorest in the division.
They have won just five of their 12 matches on their own patch, scoring 15 goals and conceding 17 in the process. Their away form has not been too impressive either, however, with two wins from 12 matches. It is no surprise that they have conceded 47 goals in the league this season, which is a total only worsened by Deportivo La Coruna.
Bilbao have fared slightly better down the other end with 29 goals scored, but that is in contrast to Sociedad who have scored 38, the fourth-best record in the division. While we are at it, Sociedad have also been strong in defence this season, conceding just 30 goals, which is three less than Barcelona. Right, the confirmed team news is in. There are some shocks for both sides.
TEAMS:
BILBAO: Raul; Iraola, San Jose, Aurtenetxe, Laporte; Susaeta, Iturraspe, Herrera; Aduriz, De Marcos, Ibai
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Mikel, De La Bella, C Martinez, I Martinez; Castro, Prieto, Illarra, Bergara; Agirretxe, Griezmann
So there we have it. No Iker Muniain for the home side with Ibai Gomez preferred in attack. Ander Herrera does start, however, despite concerns over a muscular injury. Fernando Llorente, who will join Juventus in the summer, takes his place on the bench. Sociedad, meanwhile, surprisingly have Carlos Vela on the bench, with Agirretxe preferred to the Mexican.
Right, we are just about five minutes from kickoff, which can mean only one thing, time for a pre-match prediction. Bilbao have really struggled at home this season, while Sociedad continue to pick up impressive results. I expect that pattern to continue this evening. I am backing 2-1 to Sociedad.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just a reminder that three points for Sociedad would move them into fifth in the table, just two points behind Malaga. Meanwhile, Bilbao would move into 14th with the victory.
Tonight's referee is Alberto Undiano. Let's hope that we can keep all 22 players on the pitch this evening, that has not been the case in recent weeks with an influx of red cards in La Liga. There has also been a quite staggering amount of penalties awarded this season. Do not back against another tonight. The away side get the action underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside this stadium this evening. Very chilly night in Spain, but the supporters have come out in numbers for this derby clash. All-action start to the match with both sides exchanging possession in midfield.
It really has been a end-to-end start to this match with both sides committing numbers to each attack as the supporters continue to create a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium. It's good work from Griezmann as he takes possession away from San Jose, but his low strike is wide of the post.
Just a few signs that Sociedad have started to take control of the possession with Prieto and Castro enjoying touches of the ball. The latter attempts to find the run of Agirretxe in the penalty area, but San Jose is across to clear before De Marcos is denied by Mikel down the other end.
The first shot of the match comes from Iturraspe as the Spaniard strikes a powerful effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Agirretxe attempts a similar strike down the other end, but it has the same outcome. Hardly time to draw breath as Aduriz tests Bravo moments later.
You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - will have a huge effect on the final result. Good work from Susaeta wins a free kick outside the penalty area for Bilbao, but Aduriz can only head wide from the resulting set piece. It looked closer than it perhaps was. Just about 10 minutes on the clock at San Mames.
It must be said that the pitch looks sensational this evening. There is of course a new stadium being built next door, which will replace San Mames. Having had a sneak peek, it looks capable of rivalling the best stadiums in the division. Slightly scrappy period to the match at the moment with both teams giving away a host of free kicks.
The first corner of the match comes to the home side as Ibai Gomez drives down the right before cutting inside, but Mikel is on hand to collect. The resulting set piece is taken by Susaeta, but the danger is cleared. Neither team really has control at the moment as both continue to exchange periods of possession.
The home supporters are not entirely happy with the referee at the moment as he awards Sociedad a couple of free kicks in the opposing half. The latest is whipped into the penalty area by Bergara, but Raul comes a long way to clear the danger. Despite the pace of the match, there has not really been a clear chance for either side thus far.
CHANCE! The away side come close to taking the lead as Agirretxe collects a header from Griezmann before rounding the goalkeeper, but he just fires wide of the post at the vital moment. That would certainly have been against the run of play. Would Vela have finished that one off?! I couldn't possibly answer.
Decent pressure from the away side in the last few minutes as they pass and probe outside the Bilbao penalty area, but they just cannot find the final pass. A half-chance comes down the other end as Ibai drives down the right before firing a low cross into the box, but Bravo comes out to collect. End-to-end football on this cold evening in Bilbao.
Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as Griezmann finds himself in the Bilbao penalty area, but he just loses control at the vital moment, allowing San Jose across to clear. Just when you think one team has taken control of the possession, the other goes down the other end and creates a chance. This opening 22 minutes has flown by.
Another opportunity comes to the home side as Ibai finds Iturraspe with a searching cross, but the midfielder doesn't make proper contact with his head and Bravo is allowed to collect with relative ease. Where on earth was the marking?! Sociedad regain possession, but the pressure from Bilbao is impressive once more.
Not too much to report in the last few moments with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball. Handbags erupt between the two sets of players as Herrera is struck in the face by Inigo Martinez, but the referee is simply not interested. That has raised the volume inside the stadium. As if it needed to be! This is a proper derby as San Jose tests Bravo again moments later.
There really is some bad feeling between the two sets of players at the moment as the challenges continue to fly in. I cannot see all 22 players remaining on the field this evening. Little over 15 minutes of the first period to play and still the score remains 0-0. However, it has been played at such a high tempo.
Another half-chance for the home side as De Marcos drives down the left before firing a high cross into the box, but it is just too long for Ibai, with De La Bella on hand to clear at the vital moment. The away side attempt to create a chance down the other end with Xabi Prieto, but the Spaniard is ruled offside.
CHANCE! Just about the clearest chance of the match comes to Aduriz as the striker collects a pass from Ibai before driving an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moves past the post. What an opportunity for the home side's leading scorer. Good spell for Bilbao at the moment.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-0 Sociedad (Gomez)
Bilbao finally have the lead as Ibai Gomez meets a cross from Susaeta before thumping his effort into the back of the net. That is a stunning finish from the Spaniard. You cannot say that it hasn't been coming. Where has this Bilbao team been?!
Bilbao continue to put the pressure on Sociedad as they pass and probe outside the penalty area, but they just cannot find that elusive final pass this time around. It has been a struggle for Griezmann and Agirretxe in the last few moments, which the Sociedad forward pair struggling for any sort of service.
It is all one-way traffic at the moment as Bilbao continue to press Sociedad into their own penalty area. This stadium is literally on fire as the supporters continue to make their voices known. This is the Bilbao side that troubled Manchester United in the Europa League last season.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-1 Sociedad (Griezmann)
Good grief what a goal from the away side. It's wonderful work from Prieto as the midfielder picks up possession before finding the head of Griezmann, who fires his header into the back of the net. Right back where it came from. We are all level in this Basque derby.
What a stunning half of football we have had at San Mames. There is sometimes a worry that these matches fail to live up to expectation, but that has not been the case this evening. Little over five minutes of the half to play on this cold evening in Spain.
The tempo of this match shows no sign of slowing as Agirretxe picks up possession before driving into the box, but San Jose is across to clear. De Marcos has a similar situation down the other end, but the impressive Inigo Martinez clears. This is quite comfortably the most exciting half of La Liga football I have seen this season.
The first yellow card of the match is handed to Laporte for a challenge on Castro. In fairness, it had been coming. The referee has officiated this match to a high stand, but he had no choice but to open his notebook. The resulting free kick comes from Castro, but San Jose rises under pressure from Griezmann.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to regain the lead as Aduriz meets a bouncing ball in the box, but he can only head over the crossbar. I would be utterly staggered if there were not more goals in the second period. Let's hope that the interval does not slow the tempo of the second period.
The tempo remains in the latter stages of the half as both sides commit numbers to each attack, but the score remains 1-1. I have not seen an atmosphere quite like this at San Mames this season. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of football at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the scores level at 1-1. Bilbao were ahead after 30 minutes courtesy of a thunderous strike from Ibai Gomez, but Antoine Griezmann equalised with a fine header four minutes later.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the first period. Bilbao have just shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had eight attempts to Sociedad's three. It must be said that it has been one of the most enthralling 45 minutes of football that I have seen all season.
What about the benches for this evening? The home side have a host of attacking options with Gaizka Toquero, Fernando Llorente and Iker Muniain all in reserve. Meanwhile, Sociedad could call upon the likes of Carlos Vela and Diego Ifran. There are certainly some goals between those players.
Just a reminder that as it stands Sociedad would remain in sixth, while Bilbao would remain 15th. Should the away side pick up all three points, then they would move into fifth, two points behind a Champions League position. The match is just so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising based on events thus far. However, you do get the sense that Carlos Vela would thrive in a match that is so incredibly open. The home side get the half underway.
Let's hope that the second half lives up to the high standards that were set in the first period. Early suggestions have indicated that will indeed be the case, as Sociedad advance forward with five players in support. It is so refreshing to watch with the amount of teams in Spain that are just prepared to sit in and absorb the pressure.
A half-chance comes to the away side as Agirretxe meets a cross from Prieto, but the striker can only fire his header straight at the goalkeeper. Bilbao attempt to advance down the other end with De Marcos, but Griezmann gets back to clear at the vital moment. The Frenchman has been impressive in both attack and defence this evening.
Again Sociedad threaten as Castro fires a high cross into the box, but Laporte is across to clear. Illarra is the first Sociedad player to have his name taken moments later, however, as the Spaniard clashes with Herrera. It would be a surprise if we did not see Muniain and Vela for either side in the next 15 or so minutes.
Bilbao just have not got started in this second period as they continue to hand possession away in the final third. The crowd have also been slightly reserved in this half which is not good news. You just get the feeling that they need to score the next goal in order to raise everyone around the ground. That said, a 1-1 draw would not be the worst result for either side.
Ibai attempts to go alone for Bilbao as the Spaniard collects possession down the left before firing a low cross into the box, but Bravo is out to collect at the vital moment. This match is just so delicately poised as the hour-mark approaches. You do get the feeling that there are more goals to come.
Bilbao have put a series of high crosses into the penalty area in this second period, which would certainly have suited Llorente. Everyone will have their own opinion on his situation, but what is the point in putting him on the bench if you have no intention of playing him?! He can still offer something until the end of the season that is for certain.
Right, we have just about 30 minutes of football to play and the score remains 1-1. It would be fair to admit that the second period has not thus far lived up to the first half. However, there is still a large chunk of this match to play. Still no movement on either bench as it stands.
Almost a horror moment for Raul as the Bilbao goalkeeper comes to claim a cross, but he gets nowhere near it. Luckily for the Spaniard it falls to a Bilbao shirt and the danger is cleared. Not the best piece of goalkeeping that you will see this season. Not too much to report in terms of chances with less than 30 minutes remaining.
Again it's handbags between the players as Herrera clashes with Bergara. The Sociedad midfielder slaps the Bilbao man in the face, but the referee is not interested in taking the matter further. That is what this second period needed. The referee just needs to settle this match down as the challenges continue to fly in.
It's good work from Prieto as the Sociedad midfielder dances past two challenges before winning a free kick. The resulting set piece is whipped into the penalty area by Castro, but his delivery is too close to Raul. Meanwhile, the referee is called into action as Herrera clashes with Inigo Martinez once more. Bilbao just cannot really find that elusive final pass at the moment.
The home side do indeed make the first change of the match as Aurtenetxe is replaced by Muniain, with De Marcos moving into a defensive area. Still no movement on the Sociedad bench with little over 20 minutes of football remaining. Meanwhile, not too much to report at the moment as both sides exchange periods of possession.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-2 Sociedad (Agirretxe)
It is a horror moment for the home side's goalkeeper as he palms a Castro free kick straight to Aggiretxe, with the forward on hand to tap home close range. Meanwhile, that proves to be his last piece of action as Vela replaces the striker.
Bilbao attempt to respond down the other end as Susaeta drives a low cross into the box, but Mikel is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Sociedad launch an attack of their own moments later, but Vela just cannot collect a pass from Griezmann. Can Bilbao respond?!
Again the home side threaten as Muniain fires a cross into the box, but Bravo comes out to collect at the vital moment. Is there any room for Llorente in this match? Vela attempts to put the match beyond Bilbao down the other end, but he shoots from a wide angle instead of looking for the pass. Not too much noise inside the stadium at the moment.
It does appear that Llorente will be called upon for the final stages of this match. Bilbao again attempt to force the issue in a wide position, but the final pass is straight into the arms of Bravo, which has happened on a number of occasions in the second period.
The change is indeed made as Aduriz is replaced by Llorente. Not the best of receptions from the home supporters, but their view will change if he scores in the next 15 minutes. Meanwhile, it appears that Sociedad are preparing a change of their own as the challenges continue to fly in.
Another half-chance for the away side as Castro strikes a free kick from outside the box, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. Meanwhile, the away side do indeed make the change as Castro is replaced by David Zurutuza, which is welcomed by the away supporters.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-3 Sociedad (Vela)
Well, that could well be game over. It is as clinical as you are ever likely to see as Vela collects possession on the edge of the box before curling his effort into the far corner. Stunning finish from the Mexican striker.
Bilbao were so impressive in the first period, but it is all Sociedad at the moment and this really could get worse for the home side as Vela threatens once more in the penalty area. The home supporters have turned. It has all gone horribly wrong.
The away supporters are going absolutely bonkers at the moment with their side moving into fifth position as things stand. Bilbao have just not been able to respond in the last few minutes with Sociedad just about as comfortable as they could have ever imagined at this stage of proceedings.
Half-chance for Llorente to make his mark as the Spanish striker meets a cross from Gomez, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. In fairness, you cannot expect the forward to come onto the pitch for five minutes and make his mark having not kicked a ball for a few weeks. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
Llorente has another header moments later, but the linesman had his flag raised. You just cannot see any possible way how the home side can get back into this match as the stadium begins to empty. They were so impressive in the first period, but they have simply not arrived in the second 45 minutes.
The home supporters cannot quite believe that has happened in this second half. However, their team has not responded since falling behind. It is the best place to play your football when things are going well, but one of the worst when things turn. Not too much to report at the moment with Bilbao surprisingly passing around in their own half.
Half-chance comes to the home side as Gomez whips a dangerous cross into the box, but San Jose can only head over the crossbar. Meanwhile, the away side make their third and final change as Ruben Pardo replaces Illarra. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment has been Bilbao's response since falling behind. They have fired a host of crosses into the box, but have not come close to getting back into the match. Little over a minute of football remaining and the away supporters are having one big party inside San Mames.
FULL-TIME: Athletic Bilbao 1-3 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. Sociedad recover from an early goal to pick up all three points courtesy of a 3-1 win. The result, which was their fourth away win of the season, has moved them into fifth position in the table. Meanwhile, the home side remain in 15th. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Good evening!
