A clash of two former Barcelona managers for the first time since 2019 pitted two opposing styles against one another - the intricate, short passing movements from deep of new Villarreal boss Setién, and the high intensity, breaking the lines with one sweeping pass that Ernesto Valverde’s Bilbao employ. In the past this combination has produced some La Liga classics, averaging 4.13 goals per game across eight previous personal H2Hs, although this could not have been further from the picture before HT. Only one shot on target was managed between both sets of players, with Oihan Sancet unleashing a tame effort straight at Gerónimo Rulli.
All of this changed upon the restart as Los Leones took full control, seeking to make the breakthrough. They were initially frustrated as Rulli pulled off smart saves to deny Raúl García and Álex Berenguer inside the box, but eventually the Yellow Submarine succumbed to the pressure. García, who had opened the scoring in the last two H2Hs, turned provider this time to slip Williams in behind so that he could fire under the onrushing goalkeeper on the hour mark.
Fresh from a 4-0 thumping at Camp Nou last time out, Valverde’s men were clearly eager to dish one out themselves, but a lack of ruthlessness proved to be their only weakness against a timid-looking opponent. García sliced wide after being gifted the ball in the box by Pau Torres, Unai Vencedor shot straight at Rulli when one-on-one, and finally Nico Williams could only blaze wide of the near left post from close range after being played through by Sancet.
In the end a second was not required as Villarreal were unable to muster a response, as Setién got to experience the troubles on the road which cost his side UEFA Champions League qualification last campaign. Whilst he has that problem to solve, Valverde will be able to take comfort in seeing Bilbao climb up into fifth, one point adrift of the top four.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Raúl García (Athletic Bilbao)
