Muniain strikes as Athletic build European hopes
Sunday, April 17, 2011
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Athletic Club are well placed for a return to UEFA competition following a 2-1 defeat of CA Osasuna, while Levante UD extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.
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Athletic Club enhanced their chances of playing UEFA Europa League next season with a 2-1 win at CA Osasuna on a day when fellow European hopefuls Club Atlético de Madrid drew with RCD Espanyol.
Having fallen behind to Kike Sola's effort (51), victory seemed beyond Athletic when defender Xabier Castillo was sent off soon after. However, Fernando Llorente equalised with 21 minutes remaining and, in added time, 18-year-old Iker Muniain struck his fourth Liga goal of the campaign.
That leaves Joaquín Caparrós's team in fifth, two points ahead of Sevilla FC, who lost to Getafe CF on Saturday, and Atlético. The Rojiblancos got off to a perfect start in Barcelona against Espanyol when Koke (2) profited from a loose clearance. Pablo Osvaldo and Sergio Agüero, with a deft chip, then traded goals before the former equalised on 58 minutes.
Levante UD, meanwhile, are up to ninth after an eighth game without defeat, a 2-1 home win against second-bottom Hércules CF, who are three points from safety. Elsewhere, RC Deportivo La Coruña eased their relegation fears, prevailing 2-0 at home to Real Racing Club, and Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Real Sociedad de Fútbol overcame Real Sporting de Gijón 2-1.
The 32nd round of Liga action concludes on Monday with the meeting of Villarreal CF and Real Zaragoza.
