Football: Bilbao post second consecutive win

MADRID: Athletic Bilbao continued their revival in La Liga as Iker Muniain, Igor Gabilondo and Javi Martinez struck in a 3-1 win at home to Osasuna. Bilbao’s new Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa had been under pressure after the Basque club took only two points from their opening five games but a second consecutive win lifts them to 11th with eight points from seven matches. Spain under-21 international Muniain put the home side ahead on the half hour mark before Gabilondo and Martinez made it 3-0 before the break. Osasuna’s Javad Nekounam grabbed a consolation goal for his side from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2011.