Athletic Bilbao vs Anderlecht
Athletic Bilbao
Anderlecht
vs
Thursday 18th February 2010
Venue: San Mames
Kick-off: 20:05
Score: 1 - 1
Home side miss a trick
Athletic Bilbao could not make their superior possession count as they had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
Although Athletic enjoyed the lion's share of the ball in the match, they fell behind to Lucas Biglia's 35th-minute strike.
Mikel San Jose levelled the match just before the hour mark, but the hosts could not find a winner as they were guilty of squandering a series of chances and failing to test visiting goalkeeper Silvio Proto.
Athletic began brightly, creating a pair of chances for Fernando Llorente but the Spain forward failed to convert either of them.
At the other end, Gorka Iraizoz had to make a good save to keep out Jonathan Legear's shot.
That signalled the start of a good spell for the Belgians as Iraizoz then had to use his feet to keep out a dangerous long-range effort from Mbark Boussoufa moments before Romelu Lukaku fired wide.
Anderlecht goalkeeper Proto made his first save of the game on the half-hour mark to deny Francisco Yeste who shot from the edge of the area.
Moments later the visitors were on top as Iraizoz could do nothing to keep out Biglia's close-range effort.
The second half was slow to get going but once it did Athletic got themselves back on level terms.
The goal came in the 58th minute as Markel Susaeta found the run of San Jose for an easy finish.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Javi Martinez heading narrowly over from Pablo Orbaiz's corner before Llorente fired wide.
At the other end, Lukaku tried his luck from long-range but sent his shot wide right of the goal.
Gaizka Toquero missed the mark from the edge of the area and Orbaiz also missed the target from 25 yards as Athletic failed to make their possession pay.
With time beginning to run out, Iker Muniain missed from distance and Llorente's wayward shooting continued as he sent his shot left from the edge of the area.
