Athletic Club and CA Osasuna played out a 0-0 draw at San Mamés on Sunday afternoon despite a plethora of chances for both sides throughout.
A particularly impressive performance from Aitor Hernández left the Zurigorri frustrated, as they rue missed opportunities to tighten their grip on the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.
As it happened
A flurry of corners in the early stages at San Mamés provided CA Osasuna with a number of opportunities to snatch an early lead at la Catedral, with Iñaki Williams coming worryingly close to flicking a header into the back of his own net before Aimar Oroz nodded over the bar.
The best chance of the opening ten minutes fell for Lucas Torró, with the midfielder picked out inside the box with a precise cross from Jon Moncayola – but he could only send another header wide of the target as the game remained goalless.
But the Zurigorri grew into proceedings and soon forced two fine saves from Aitor Fernández, with the Osasuna shotstopper required to deny Nico Williams and Yuri Berchiche in quick succession.
Ernesto Valverde’s side hadn’t done quite enough to take the lead before the break though, but with a multitude of attacking options on the bench, it looked as though it’d be just a matter of time.
Athletic Club’s best chance of the match came just before the hour mark, but another incredible intervention from Aitor denied Nico Williams from close range after the Zurigorri forward looked to pick up the pieces of Maroan Sannadi’s initial foray towards goal.
Later, Iñaki Williams’ low cross towards the far post was permitted to sail through the box by the Osasuna defence, who were fortunate that there was nobody arriving at the back post to tap home into an open goal and hand the hosts the lead.
One final chance looked to present itself for Athletic Club inside the dying moments when Unai Gómez appealed for a penalty after being fouled by Torró inside the box, only for the referee and VAR to wave away his protests.
It is the second time this season that CA Osasuna have frustrated Athletic Club at la Catedral, after knocking the Zurigorri out of the Copa del Rey in January. Sunday’s hosts will look to tighten their grip on the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots next weekend when they host fifth-placed Villarreal, in what can only be described as a six-pointer.
CA Osasuna’s next match comes against CD Leganés on Monday 7 April.
The lineups
ATH: Simón; Berchiche, Álvarez, Nunez, De Marcos; Prados, Jauregizar; N Williams, Berenguer, I Williams; Sannadi
OSA: Fernández; Bretones, Herrando, Catena, Boyomo, Areso; Oroz, Torro, Moncaloya, García; Budimir