Osasuna and Athletic Club could not be separated in a 1-1 draw, marking the fourth time in six LaLiga head-to-head meetings in which there was no winner.
Osasuna were in real need of a positive result here following a dismal run of form featuring just one win in eight league games (D1, L6), but they were up against an Athletic Club side – from neighbouring Basque country – on a run of three successive wins in all competitions.
As expected, the visitors got off to a better start, as Nico Williams won the ball around the home side’s box, only to shoot high and wide. Yuri Berchiche was next to try his luck, but his long-range effort trickled wide, leaving Aitor Hernandez untroubled.
It took until midway through the half for the hosts to put any pressure on Athletic’s goal after winning the ball high up the pitch, yet Jon Moncayola’s strike from a narrow angle was saved by Unai Simon at his near post.
The away side took heed of that warning and regained control, finishing the half strongly, albeit without making their dominance count. Alex Berenguer’s curling strike from outside the area struck the right post, shortly before Berchiche forced Hernandez to palm the ball over with a header from a free-kick delivery.
Athletic Club picked up where they left off once play got back underway and should have found themselves ahead six minutes into the second half. N. Williams broke through the Osasuna backline, yet his indecisiveness proved costly as he held the ball up and squared to Roberto Navarro, whose tame shot was comfortably gathered by Hernandez.
The home side thought they’d broken the deadlock on 57’, but Valentin Rosier’s strike was chalked off after Alejandro Catena was penalised for straying offside in the build-up.
Oihan Sancet missed a glorious opportunity to net after a loose ball fell his way, somehow skying his shot while under no pressure. Athletic then had the ball in the back of the net after Alex Berenguer broke into the Osasuna box and Sancet swept home, but his strike was also ruled out for offside.
Undeterred, Athletic finally netted in the 85th minute when Inaki Williams broke forward on the counter, and his ball across the face of goal was prodded home by brother Nico at the second attempt.
However, Osasuna drew level in fortuitous circumstances after the ball ricocheted off Simon in the box, allowing Catena to pounce and fire home the loose ball, ultimately ending their losing run in LaLiga. The stalemate also denies Athletic a third win in four meetings at El Sadar Stadium.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
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