The Basque entity were on the receiving end of a 3-1 beating in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Czech-Republic-c2882, casting doubts on their qualification for the UEFA Europa League knockout stages.
Field issues that have surrounded http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Athletic-Club-c38535 in recent days turned out to reflect on the pitch in Prague. Bielsa's men stumbled again in the UEFA Europa League, following their 1-1 draw against Hapoel Kiryat with a 3-1 defeat against Sparta Prague.
In a gray game, Los Azulones were far from the form that amazed Europe last season, a fact the Czech did not hesitate to exploit. Without ideas in attack and with an alarming lack of concentration in defence, the Europa League runners-up complicated their
future against an opponent who showed order in the rear and some success in their offensive plays.
From the first minutes the ball alternated between the two sides. Bilbao played more in midfield, but Aduriz was on an island at the front and barely contributing to the overall schemes http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Markel-Susaeta-c24153
were closed at all times and only troubled the goalkeeper at set pieces.
After a first warning by Vaclav Kadlec, Sparta Prague took the initiative through Tomas Zapotocny, who opened the scoring on 26 minutes. Without opposition, without a defence that should have shut down the shot, the defender took a hard shot that slipped
through the centre of the Gorka Iraizoz’s.
The Navarro born goalkeeper should have done more in his effort, and only added more fuel to fire in the debate over his ownership as the number #1 for Athletic Bilbao.
Los Azulones tried to react, sought the ball and played in midfield, but Muniain and De Marcos were not failed to impose themselves against the hosts, thus came Sparta Prague’s second goal of the afternoon. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bekim-Balaj-c7412 was alone on the far post as he slotted
home easily with four minutes remaining in the first half.
It was more misery for the Spanish outfit after the interval, as Xabi Castillo added insult to injury by giving away a penalty. Josef Husbauer did not hesitate from the spot, converting the chance to add his name on the result card.
Bielsa ushered in Ismael Lopez, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Muniain-c16816 to give them some respite after a feisty encounter.
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