**Athletic Bilbao Secures Narrow Victory Over Almería with Set-Piece Goal**
Athletic Bilbao edged past Almería with a hard-fought 1-0 victory, thanks to a well-executed set-piece goal. The match, played at Estadio de la Cartuja, was a tense encounter, with both sides creating chances but ultimately, it was Athletic who emerged victorious.
The game started with both teams probing for weaknesses. Athletic displayed their usual attacking intent, but Almería, known for their defensive resilience, held firm. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Athletic capitalized on a defensive error. A clever corner kick by Gorka Guruzaga found the head of Aritz Aduriz, who powered the ball into the net. The goal, coming from a perfectly executed set piece, was a testament to Athletic's tactical awareness and composure under pressure.
Despite the early lead, Almería didn't back down. They pressed hard, looking to exploit Athletic's defensive gaps. However, the Bilbao side stood firm, with their backline making crucial interventions. The visitors' efforts were thwarted by Athletic's solid defending, who refused to let Almería's attacks unravel.
As the game progressed, the intensity ramped up. Almería threw everything into attacking, but Athletic's goalkeeper, Ivo Grbic, was a rock in the net, making several vital saves. The home side, despite being under the cosh, relied on their set-piece expertise and defensive discipline to maintain control.
In the 78th minute, Athletic almost doubled their lead when a dangerous crossbar challenge by Alex Berenguer brought gasps from the crowd. Almería, now trailing, pushed for an equalizer, but Athletic's defense held strong, turning away several clear chances.
With the final whistle blowing, Athletic Bilbao celebrated a hard-earned victory. Manager Ernesto Valverde praised his side's ability to adapt and execute set pieces, highlighting their defensive solidity. Forward Aduriz also credited the team's overall performance, emphasizing the importance of the win in their quest for a top-half finish.
The match underscored Athletic's growing confidence under Valverde, particularly their reliance on set pieces to break down a stubborn Almería defense. As the season progresses, this ability, combined with their defensive prowess, could be key to their success.
For Almería, the defeat, their third in five games, underscores their struggle to convert chances into goals. With the season still young, they will need to address their finishing to challenge higher-placed teams.
In summary, Athletic Bilbao's 1-0 victory over Almería was a display of tactical execution and defensive resilience. The win moves them closer to their target, while Almería must improve to avoid falling further behind.