Las Palmas couldn't stop Athletic (0-2)
UD Las Palmas failed to retain any points this Sunday at the Estadio de Gran Canaria (0-2). Athletic, with a goal in each half, won for the first time at the yellow's new venue, with goals from Guruzeta and Coco - an own goal. The effort of the Gran Canarian team extended throughout the afternoon, with Marvin Park's goal disallowed, which would have brought emotions in the final stretch. But they couldn't change the outcome of the match. It was the fourth home defeat for the yellows this season.
García Pimienta gave Campaña the first opportunity to be part of the official match photo this time. The midfielder from UD Levante linked up with Kirian Rodríguez and Javi Muñoz in the yellow triangle against a team specialized in regaining possession and counterattacks. That was the only novelty of a starting team in which Julián Araujo also retained his place at right-back as a replacement for Álex Suárez.
Athletic managed to disrupt UD Las Palmas' ball distribution. Their advanced pieces and quick movements made it difficult for the yellow team to initiate attacks. This version of the game suggested that the match was going to be long and, above all, demanding physically.
Chances were slow to appear, although the first ones were for the visiting team without finding Valles' goal. Some advances from Sandro and Munir forced the visiting team to retreat, also showing speed to organize themselves against Unai Simón.
The match was going to get even more complicated for UD Las Palmas after half an hour. A play by Nico Williams, from the left, was the genesis of the 0-1. The cross from the international was headed in by his teammate Gorka Guruzeta, chipping the ball in front of Valles.
Las Palmas tried to react early and could have equalized the match 5 minutes later from a set piece. Sandro crossed the ball in a corner kick and Saúl Coco headed it powerfully. But the ball went wide of one of the posts of the Naciente goal.
The 0-1 was the scoreline at the moment when both teams enjoyed a respite, where there was reflection and dialogue to turn around the difficult situation created by Guruzeta's goal.
Las Palmas improved in the second half. The crowd also rose to cheer on their players, who perhaps saw the equalizer coming in a shot from Kirian and in several shots repelled by the visiting defense.
However, when the Gran Canarian team was at its best, the 0-2 came in an unfortunate corner play. Coco inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.
The 0-2 did not discourage Las Palmas, who even managed to score in the 77th minute through Marvin Park. But the referee disallowed the goal because he interpreted that Sandro had contacted the ball with his hand on its way to Athletic's goal.
