Athletic Bilbao were better than Cádiz and deservedly took the three points from the match at the Ramón de Carranza, in a game which went against the home side early on, with the visitors two ahead after 15 minutes.
Insistence pays off for Athletic
Athletic’s game plan was clear from the start: head towards Ledesma’s goal. The Basque outfit took control of the ball from the off and had a number of dangerous attacks along with a Williams shot in the first minute. The opening goal came in the fourth minute, Berenger arriving to slot the ball under Ledesma.
Unai López makes it two after 15 minutes
The momentum was clearly with the visitors and another attack led to a free-kick at the top of the box. Unai López took it expertly, making the most of a gap in the wall to give Ledesma no chance, with the keeper never expecting the ball to appear in that area.
Berenger scores again
Cádiz CF were unable to find their positions on the pitch at any point and were clearly uncomfortable with the situation - something Marcelino’s side took advantage of to score the third. Berenger finished off a move with Munain, lifting the ball over the desperate rush out from Ledesma.
‘Pacha’ had a chance to cut the deficit
Cádiz looked to get forward as time went on in the match, and Pacha Espino had a chance to cut the deficit with a header at the near post from a Salvi cross. The Cádiz defender, who had joined the attack, arrived powerfully in the box but luck was not on his side.
Four changes at half-time
Álvaro Cervera really changed things around at the break, with the Cádiz coach making four substitutions at the same time. Perea, Negredo, Salvi and Lozano came off; Sobrino, Alejo, Jairo and Saponjic came on.
Cádiz were a new side, but Athletic scored their fourth
The home side seemed to have pressed the reset button with the changes and looked completely different, dominating the play and attacking down the wings, particularly the right with a fleet-footed Iván Alejo.
But they were hit with another hammer blow, in the shape of a goal, with Iñaki Williams moving up the right and sliding the ball under Ledesma.
Tough second half
Cádiz had nearly the entire second half ahead and were losing 0-4, making the situation rather more than a simple challenge; as the minutes passed the only thing Cádiz’s attacks provoked were dangerous counters from the visitors.