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Real Zaragoza vs Athletic Bilbao - 12.12.2009

Muniain inspires Bilbao win

Athletic Bilbao provisionally moved into the top seven of the Primera Division by seeing off struggling Real Zaragoza 2-1 at La Romareda.

Mikel San Jose and Markel Susaeta netted the goals, both of which were set up by teenage substitute Iker Muniain, as Athletic bounced back from last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Valencia to move above Sporting Gijon, who face a tough home match with Sevilla on Sunday.

The victory means upwardly-mobile Athletic have now won five and drawn three of their last nine competitive matches since their dismal run of six defeats in eight.

For promoted Zaragoza though, Saturday's result means they have now taken just one point from their last five games and the pressure continues to build on coach Marcelino Garcia Toral despite Carlos Diogo's late consolation goal.

There was little goalmouth action of note during a niggly first half that produced six yellow cards, with the closest either side coming being a goalmouth scramble in the 42nd minute when Zaragoza duo Jorge Lopez (twice) and Angel Lafita were denied by some desperate Athletic defending.

And the second half looked to be going the same way - until the 59th minute introduction of Athletic starlet Muniain.

Like last weekend against Valencia, Muniain's appearance from the bench helped changed the game.

The 16-year-old, who became the youngest goalscorer in Primera Division history earlier this season, put his side ahead against Valencia just eight minutes after coming on in the second half.

That goal did not end up earning Athletic the victory against Valencia as they suffered a dismal final half-hour, conceding two goals, losing Koikili Lertxundi to a red card and missing a late penalty through David Lopez, but it was to be a happier day for the youngster and his team-mates.

Muniain, having replaced Spain striker Fernando Llorente, needed only two minutes to make an impact, doing well down the left before dinking in a left-footed cross that found San Jose near the penalty spot, and the on-loan Liverpool man slammed an unstoppable headed into the top corner.

That goal helped open up the game more, and with Zaragoza pushing men forward in search of the equaliser, there was plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.

Javier Arizmendi had looked certain to equalise in the 66th minute when Jermaine Pennant's cross found him unmarked at the far post, but his downward header was too close to Gorka Iraizoz and the Athletic goalkeeper gratefully grabbed the ball.

Andoni Iraola then fired a shot into the side-netting as Athletic sought a second on the counter-attack and Zaragoza defender Javier Paredes saw a goal-bound effort blocked from a corner.

Zaragoza were caught short at the back in the 81st minute though as Athletic netted their second goal, and with it secured the points.

Muniain was again involved, threading a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Susaeta, whose first-time shot was partially blocked by home goalkeeper Javier Lopez Vallejo but still found the corner of the net.

Zaragoza pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Diogo's 25-yard drive deflected off Athletic midfielder Javi Martinez and flew past the wrong-footed Iraizoz, but there was barely time to kick-off after that as the hosts suffered their eight defeat of the season.

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