Unai Simón played this Wednesday as if Luis de la Fuente was dining at the box bar of San Mames. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper managed to obtain, with a great approach from Ernesto Valverde, a valuable point against the … almighty Paris Saint Germain (PSG). This 0-0 draw against one of the “coconuts” of the Champions League confirms that the Lions have regained the good sensations of last year, and leaves them just two points from the zone which gives access to the “play-in”. With two championship matches remaining, they can still dream of Europe.
And the “txingurri” has a simple philosophy to explain his work. He plans things during the week and thenwith the rival in front, it works or it doesn’t work. It depends, but this Wednesday, as in last weekend’s victory against Atlético de Madrid, in which he wanted to see a “turning point” to straighten out an erratic season, his scoreboard played against that of Luis Enrique.
With the added bonus of the return of Iñaki Williams to the group after his absence since the end of October, Athletic were brave in placing their central defenders on the halfway line and put strong pressure on the European champion. The ball for them, they will get tired. PSG has a left wing which, even with Dembelé in Paris, is scary. And that’s where all the bullets went. Towards Nuno Mendes, Fabián, Kvaratskhelia and Vitinha, who came to join us. Almost nothing.
All this talent failed, in the first half, to create too dangerous chances. Athletic’s high block didn’t allow them to win the ball cleanly from behind and when they did, with a long trip, Dani Vivian, the only healthy central defender that Valverde left, he was serious and quick. As the minutes passed, the 2,500 displaced French supporters (among whom, according to EP, Ertzaintza grabbed knives while trying to enter the Basque Country through Irun) began to believe it less and less. And San Mamés even more.
Sancet made dangerous approaches, after several ball recoveries in three quarters, without worrying Safonov. Neither did the French with Unai Simón until the end of a first half equal in pace and intensity. He was already almost 45 years old when he was Athletic’s starting goalkeeper and, if he continues at this level in matches of this magnitude, probably also from La Roja in the World Cupinsisted on sending the match tied at half-time, with a miraculous save from Mayulu, who had the opportunity to shoot at him from the entrance to the small area.
The Vitorian goalkeeper started the second half as he had finished the first. He saved his team three other times against a PSG who seemed to want revenge. With the French knocked down, Barcolá sent a ball over the crossbar and beyond the arreón, The match was tied again. “Let’s listen to them”, roars the Cathedralwho ended up giving his players a standing ovation for their efforts, seeing how they managed to retain a point against one of the tournament favorites, who had only lost three points so far, and continue to dream of reaching the Champions League stage.
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