Bilbao stay on course for Champions League shot

Athletic Bilbao remain on course for a place in Champions League qualifying after a Markel Susaeta strike secured a 1-0 win at home to Getafe in La Liga on Saturday that strengthened their grip on fourth.

Susaeta cracked home a superb first-time shot five minutes before halftime at the San Mames to put Bilbao nine points clear of fifth-placed Real Sociedad ahead of their Basque rivals' match at Almeria on Monday.

Getafe, winless in 14 La Liga outings stretching back to mid December, are just above the drop zone in 17th on 28 points.

Espanyol and Levante, who are in with a chance of a place in the Europa League, drew 0-0 at Espanyol's Cornella El Prat stadium in Barcelona, while Granada pulled further away from danger with a 1-0 win at home to Elche.

Rayo Vallecano, who appeared doomed to relegation a few weeks ago, drew 1-1 at fellow strugglers Real Valladolid and have now taken 10 points from their last four games.

In Sunday's games, leaders Real Madrid can deal a severe blow to Barcelona's chances of a fifth title in six years with a win at home to their arch rivals in the 'Clasico'.

Real are top on 70 points, three ahead of city neighbors Atletico Madrid, who play at bottom side Real Betis (1600). Barca are a point behind Atletico in third, 11 points ahead of Bilbao. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Birthday boy Muniain helps Bilbao into King's Cup last 16

MADRID - Iker Muniain celebrated his 21st birthday with two goals in a 4-0 win for Athletic Bilbao at home to Celta Vigo on Thursday (Friday, PHL time) that sent the Basque club through to the last 16 of the King's Cup 4-1 on aggregate.

A Muniain goal in each half and strikes from Markel Susaeta and Aritz Aduriz at a rain-lashed San Mames set up a meeting with Real Betis in the next round.

"Although the result suggests it was an easy match it required a huge amount of effort," Aduriz told Canal Plus television.

“The important thing now is to rest and prepare for Sunday's La Liga match at home to Rayo Vallecano so that the squad could sign off for the winter break with another win,” said Aduriz.

Bilbao, which has won the second-most King's Cup trophies (23) after record winners Barcelona (26), were joined in the last 16 by Valencia, Rayo and Espanyol.

Valencia scraped past Gimnastic when they beat the third tier side, who held them to a 0-0 draw in the first leg, 1-0 at the Mestalla stadium.

Still without a coach after Monday's sacking of Miroslav Djukic, Valencia will play holders Atletico Madrid for a place in the quarterfinals.

Rayo and Real Valladolid were also goalless in their first leg before the former won the return in Madrid 3-1. Espanyol beat second division Real Jaen 2-0 for a 4-2 aggregate triumph.

The remaining last-16 ties are Barca v Getafe, Real Madrid v Osasuna, Real Sociedad v Villarreal, Rayo v Levante, Espanyol v Alcorcon and Almeria v Racing Santander.

Second division Alcorcon, which knocked out Granada, and third tier Santander, who eliminated Sevilla, are the only non-La Liga sides left in the competition.

Barca look to have an easier path to the final, with Real Madrid and Atletico on the other side of the draw and on course to meet in the last four.

The last-16 ties and the quarterfinals are in January, the semifinals in February and the final is at a yet-to-be-determined venue on April 19. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com