Athletic Club Bilbao continued its' strong run of form Sunday, knocking off cross-territory rival Real Sociedad in the "Clásico" of Basque soccer. Golden-maned Fernando Llorente scored two beautiful goals for los leones, who took the three points from a complicated stadium with a little help from referee Fernández Borbalán who missed two pretty clear penalties in favor of Real Sociedad.
Real Sociedad 1-2 Athletic Club Bilbao Recap: Fernando Llorente Double, Referee Seal Victory For Los Leones In Basque Derby
But the match was really about Athletic Bilbao, who are finally looking like a real Marcelo Bielsa team, winning both of their last two matches with convincing displays of attacking football. Fernando Llorente proved once again that he is extremely good at putting the ball into the goal--which is a pretty essential skill for a striker. Kidding aside, the "Lion King," is looking increasingly like a super-duper-star in waiting, and I wouldn't be surprised if he made the jump to a "major" team in the next year.
The story of the match, like all derbies, was determined by finishing and refereeing: Athletic managed to put away the chances that they got, while Real couldn’t (they hit the post twice); and, as always seems to be the case, referee Borbalán missed a pretty obvious penalty for Real Sociedad when one of Athletic’s center defenders handled the ball (accidentally, but still) in the area.
But that's just the way these things work out: the losing side in derby matches always can point to one moment when they got "screwed," while the winning side always tends to downplay the controversial moments. And, as my beloved Real Madrid know well, there aren't any hypothetical trophies--or bragging rights.
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