Athletic Bilbao Vs. Valencia: Fernando Llorente Goal Puts Bilbao Ahead

The hosts’ early aggression has paid off, and after just 14 minutes, Athletic Bilbao have gained the lead that their play deserves. They have pushed Valencia hard and thrown bodies forward, while at the same time, their forwards have come back to try to win the ball when Valencia are in possession. That hard work has culminated in a goal for Bilbao’s leading scorer, Fernando Llorente.

The goal was hardly a pretty one, but that’s not uncommon for a Bilbao team that is arguably the toughest and most physical in Spain. Llorente’s strike partner, Gaizka Toquero was the man who was credited with the assist. His ball across the face of goal to Llorente’s feet set up the big striker, but he was swarmed by two defenders. Llorente held them off and turned with the ball at his feet, less than six yards away from goal, and found a way to muscle the ball into the back of the net.