What a game! Athletic Club edged out Real Sociedad 3-2 in a nail-biting encounter at San Mamés. The home side showed incredible fight, ultimately prevailing in a contest that had everything.
Athletic Club controlled the majority of possession, 47% to Real Sociedad's 53%. They managed to generate 15 shots, with 8 of those coming inside the box, compared to Real Sociedad's 6 shots, with 4 coming inside the box. Although Real Sociedad had some impressive moments, Athletic Club's determination shone through.
The first half saw Real Sociedad grab a 1-0 lead. It was a stunning finish from Zurutuza in the 16th minute. The second half was a rollercoaster. Athletic came storming back, with goals from Muniain (51st minute) and Aduriz (60th). Then, Iñaki Williams added a third goal late in the game (72nd). Sociedad rallied again, with a goal from Íñigo Martínez in the 83rd minute, making for a truly dramatic finale.
The most exciting moment? Probably the final 10 minutes, when both teams fought tooth and nail for every inch of the field. Substitutions played a vital role in the second half as both teams looked to maintain their attacking pressure.
Athletic Club's approach seemed to be focusing on winning possession and attacking with precision, with their midfielders actively looking for scoring opportunities. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, prioritized maintaining a firm defensive structure while counter-attacking with pace and using quick substitutions to maintain pressure and opportunities.
Ultimately, Athletic Club's relentless pressure paid off, securing a hard-fought victory. It was a fantastic match!