Athletic Bilbao welcomed Real Zaragoza to San Mames on Saturday looking to end the year in the top half of the La Liga table.
First-half strikes from Apono and Helder Postiga secured a half-time lead for Zaragoza, with the home side struggling for invention.
The second period was a slight non-event, meanwhile, with both sides struggling to create any real chances as Zaragoza held on for a vital away win.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Well, the final match of the year in La Liga is upon us. It has hardly been the best of seasons for Bilbao thus far, but a run of two wins and two draws from their last four matches has at least moved them away from the bottom three. Meanwhile, victory this evening would guarantee that they end the year in the top half of the table.
In their way this evening is a Zaragoza side that have enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent seasons. They have lost two and won two of their last four league matches and the will be keen to move away from the relegation zone with all three points this evening.
In terms of the recent meetings between the pair, both sides have won two and drawn one of the last five matches. On paper at least, Bilbao have to be considered the favourites, but this is not the same side that terrorised Manchester United in the Europa League last season. Meanwhile, should Fernando Llorente play for Bilbao this evening, then it could be his last appearance for the Basque club.
Teams:
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; Borde, Jose, Iraola, Ekiza; Laporte, Herrera, De Marcos, Gomez; Muniain, Aduriz
Zaragoza: Roberto; Alvaro, Loovens, Sapunaru, Minero; Movilla, Apono, Montanes, Zuculini; Postiga, Victor
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Bilbao have been in good form of late and I am backing a home win. The home side get the action underway.
Decent start to the match from Zaragoza with Movilla and Apono both enjoying early touches of the ball in midfield. A long punt from Roberto causes problems in the Bilbao defence, but Mikel San Jose is on hand to clear. Neither side has really settled thus far.
Painful one for Alvaro in the early stages of this match as the Zaragoza defender takes one flush in the face from Aduriz. However, it is clear to see that there was no intention from the Bilbao striker. Not a great atmosphere inside the ground at the moment, but the supporters have come out in their numbers.
Decent possession from Zaragoza in the early stages of the match as they continue to craft and probe in the final third. However, no real chances for either side thus far. You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the overall result.
Half-chance for the home side as Borde advances down the right before finding Muniain in the penalty area, but the winger just cannot sort out his feet in time and the danger is cleared by Minero. First real sign of attacking pressure from Bilbao. The match is just starting to liven up with eight minutes on the clock.
Zaragoza continue to force the issue with Helder Postiga linking with Victor Rodriguez in the final third, but the latter's return pass for Apono is just too long and Iraola is across to clear the danger. Still nothing much to get excited about for the home team aside from a couple of impressive runs from the young Spaniard Muniain.
Both teams are just struggling for quality at the moment with a host of balls going wide of the desired target. Slightly untidy period of the match truth be told with possession being exchanged in the midfield area. It just needs a spark to liven this tie up with 12 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for Zaragoza once more as Zuculini strikes a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, but Iraizoz came across to make the save. The resulting set piece is delivered by Victor, but the delivery failed to beat the first man and the danger is cleared. Really scrappy opening to this match thus far.
Slightly better from Bilbao in the past couple of moments as they enjoy a decent period with possession. However, they continue to struggle to find that elusive pass in the final third. It's good work from Herrera as he dances past Minero before crossing into the box, but Sapunaru is on hand to clear.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the opening 18 minutes of the match. However, Bilbao have offered more of a threat in the last couple of moments with Muniain and Aduriz combining well in the final third. Meanwhile, the home supporters have found their voice after a quiet opening.
Bilbao are without question the team in control of this match with 20 minutes on the clock. They have dominated the ball in the past 10 minutes with Herrera and De Marcos crafting and probing, but thus far they have been unable to find that elusive final pass. This match is in desperate need of a spark.
Again it's good work from Muniain as the winger picks up possession before dancing his way into the Zaragoza box, but his final pass is poor and it goes out for a goal kick. You just want the young Spaniard to push on this season. In truth, he has not hit the standard that he set in the previous campaign.
Bilbao continue to look the side most likely as Herrara clips a pass behind the Zaragoza defence, but it is just beyond Aduriz and Alvaro comes across to clear the danger. We have not seen anything from Postiga and Victor for Zaragoza since the opening moments of the match. Meanwhile, we still await the first chance of the match.
Again Bilbao threaten down the left as Muniain picks up possession before driving into the penalty area, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. It appears that Zaragoza are happy to sit in and absorb the danger in hope of securing something on the counter attack.
Still not a great deal to report as we approach the 30-minute mark in the match. Bilbao continue to dominate the possession, but the fact we are still awaiting the first half-chance of the match let alone clear opportunity tells you everything that you need to know.
It remains a really untidy match with both sides continuing to relinquish possession in the middle of midfield. A slight bit of quality is demonstrated from Bilbao as Muniain forces two corners in quick succession, but neither delivery is particularly threatening and the danger is cleared.
PENALTY! The away side are awarded a penalty as Aurtenetxe fells Victor Rodriguez in the penalty area. It was a poor challenge from the young defender. It appears that Apono will take the spot kick.
GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Real Zaragoza (Apono)
Apono gives the goalkeeper the eyes as he steps up before smashing his effort into the bottom corner. It was a cheap penalty to give away and now Bilbao must come from behind. Maybe that goal will liven up proceedings at the San Mames. Let's hope so.
The opening goal appears to have sparked the home side into life as Herrera combines with Muniain before the winger attempts to find Aduriz, but the final pass is poor and the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Fernando Llorente is warming up on the side of the pitch. Surely he should be on the field despite his contract situation?
Muniain remains the biggest threat for the home side as he collects possession before darting past Sapunaru, but the defender pulls him to the ground. The Sociedad star has already been booked in this match and has made a couple of dangerous challenges since. It would not surprise me one bit if he was dismissed in this match.
Half-chance for Postiga down the other end as Victor finds his strike partner in the penalty area, but the Portuguese could only hook over the crossbar from close range. That really should have been their second of the evening. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Muniain finds Aurtenetxe in the penalty area, but the defender cannot sort out his feet in time and the danger is cleared for a throw. End-to-end football as Zaragoza advance down the other end, but Iraola is on hand to clear for a corner.
GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Zaragoza (Postiga)
Zaragoza have their second of the match minutes before the interval as he collects a powerful pass from Apono before turning into the back of the net from close range. Where has this come from? Two chances for Zaragoza and two goals. Incredible.
CROSSBAR! Zaragoza continue to threaten on the counter with Postiga running in behind the Bilbao defence. De Marcos meets a Muniain cross down the other end, but can only thump his header against the crossbar. What a lift that would have been before the interval.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of action at the end of the half. How do Bilbao respond in the second period? It would not surprise me to see a couple of changes at the interval.
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Zaragoza lead 2-0 at the interval courtesy of strikes from Apono and Postiga. In truth, it has been a half of few chances, but somehow the away side enter the break with a comprehensive lead.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Bilbao have dominated the possession with 68%, but they have managed just three attempts to Zaragoza's five. As it stands the away side would move above Bilbao into 12th spot in the table in the final match of the year.
Just a reminder that this is the last La Liga match of 2012. The action gets back underway on January 5. Be sure to remain with us for all our football coverage over the festive period and you will not miss a kick. Looking ahead to the second half of this one, surely Fernando Llorente has to be introduced.
Llorente has refused to sign a new contract at Bilbao and will leave the club. However, it is not yet understood whether that will be in January or at the end of the season. It is strange that their best player is sitting on the bench. For Zaragoza, they will continue as it is. It has been the perfect away performance from them thus far.
Here we go then. Zaragoza get the action underway in the second period. Bilbao make a change at the interval as Igor Martinez replaces Aurtenetxe. Still no sign of Llorente? Quite an incredible situation. Why put him on the bench if you have no intention of giving him some minutes on the pitch? Time will tell if Bielsa has made the correct decision.
Decent start to the second period from Zaragoza with Postiga combining well with Victor on the edge of the penalty area, but the striker is just crowded out at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the outcome of the match.
Another half-chance falls to Zaragoza as Postiga attempts to latch onto a long pass from Apono, but the Portuguese just cannot collect and Iraizoz if quick off his line to clear the danger. Nothing much from the home side in the early stages of the second period.
First real attack of the second period for the home side as Aduriz combines with De Marcos down the left, but the latter cannot force his cross into the box as Alvaro steps across to clear. Zaragoza attempt to launch a counter attack, but Montanes is stopped in his tracks by Laporte.
Slight controversy here as Herrera picks up a yellow card for seemingly diving in the penalty area. However, replays have shown that the midfielder was indeed pulled to the ground by Montanes. Not a great piece of refereeing there. That would have been Bilbao's ticket back into this match. Instead they remain 2-0 behind.
Half-chance for Zaragoza to extend their lead as Montanes fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Postiga just cannot make a proper connection as he fires it wide of the target. That would have been the three points right there. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining and the away side lead 2-0 at San Mames.
Penalty shout for the away side as Zuculini tumbles over in the area, but there was not a great deal in it and the referee rightly waves play on. Bilbao advance down the other end with Martinez, but his shot is tame and just past the post. They really need some sort of inspiration in this match.
Slightly scrappy period of the match at the moment with both sides giving away a host of free kicks in and around the centre circle. Not a great deal to report in terms of attacking chances, although the home side have raised the tempo with Zaragoza dropping deeper and deeper.
Bilbao continue to dominate possession in midfield, but in keeping with the previous 62 minutes, they cannot seem to find that elusive final pass. Still no changed for Zaragoza, although you would expect the manager to freshen them up as the match approaches its latter stages.
Slightly untidy period of the match with a host of free kicks interrupting the flow. Meanwhile, neither side has been particularly careful with possession in recent minutes with the ball being exchanged in midfield. At the moment Zaragoza are heading for a comfortable three points.
It must be said that the home supporters are doing nothing to raise their team in the remaining 25 minutes of this match. It is almost as if they are waiting for something to happen. Unfortunately that is not the case. The biggest noise of the evening erupts as Postiga is left in a heap by Laporte.
Pass, pass, pass from Bilbao. However, there is simply no end product. They have not kept possession well this evening it really is as simple as that. Zaragoza have not been particularly good, but they find themselves 2-0 ahead away from home. Incredible turn of events.
Here we go then. Finally the home side make the change as Llorente replaces Muniain for the final 20 minutes of this match. Will this be his last performance in a Bilbao shirt? Mixed reception from the home supporters for a player that has refused to sign a new deal at the club.
Meanwhile, Zaragoza make a change of their own as Victor Rodriguez is replaced by Edu Oriol. Bilbao continue to enjoy the possession in the final third, but Zaragoza are once more comfortable in dealing with the danger as they continue to clear.
In fairness to Llorente he is showing his professionalism as he continues to chase down every ball in the final 15 minutes of this match. But his side are in desperate need of a goal as things stand. Just a reminder that this is the final La Liga match of 2012 with the winter break upon us in Spain.
Meanwhile, Zaragoza make another change as Zuculini is replaced by Stefan Babovic. Still nothing much to report in terms of attacking chances with Bilbao enjoying plenty of the ball but creating very little. Zaragoza are so comfortable it is untrue.
Little over 10 minutes of La Liga football remaining in 2012. Bilbao continue to trail courtesy of two first-half strikes from Zaragoza. Bilbao recently introduced contract rebel Llorente, but he has touched the ball just once in that period.
Half-chance for the home side as Llorente wins the header at the near post, but De Marcos cannot make the most of the opportunity and his effort is wide of the post from close range. It has been that type of the second period for Bilbao. A couple of half-chances, but nothing more than that.
The pressure continues from the home side as they force good attacking areas. However, wrong decisions continue to be made as Zaragoza clear the danger time after time. Bilbao have not utilised Llorente since the tall striker entered the frame. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Not a great deal happening in the remaining minutes of this match. The past few moments have pretty much summed up the second period. Bilbao enjoying decent possession, but with no end product. Zaragoza come close down the other end with Oriol, but his effort is flashed across the goal.
Suddenly Llorente bursts into life as he ghosts in at the far post, but his header is pushed over the crossbar by Roberto. The resulting corner is taken by De Marcos, but once more the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Zaragoza make their final change as Montanes is replaced by Jose Mari.
Little over two minutes of normal time remaining and Bilbao continue to force the issue with high balls into the Zaragoza penalty area. However, the away team continues to defend the danger. I shouldn't think that much time will be added past the 90 minutes.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football. There is no sign of a Bilbao comeback in the final moments and they will enter the winter break with a disappointing defeat.
Not a great deal to report in the three additional minutes with Bilbao continuing to pass and probe outside the Zaragoza penalty box, but to no avail. De Marcos attempts to force the issue with a high ball into the box, but Roberto comes to collect.
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Zaragoza pick up the three points in the final La Liga match of 2012. Barcelona end the year top of the table with 49 points. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Malaga make up the top four respectively. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us over the Christmas period. Until then!
