Berenguer brace drives Athletic Bilbao to derby win over Real Sociedad
The 28-year-old Spanish forward, filling the gap left by talisman Inaki Williams's departure for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, made a decisive impact as Athletic moved ahead of Spanish champions Barcelona on goal difference. The Catalans, fourth, are in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday against league leaders Real Madrid.
Real Sociedad pulled a goal back late on through Mikel Oyarzabal but could not find a leveller at the vibrant San Mames. Athletic are hoping to finish in the top four to qualify for next season's Champions League. "There's a long way to go, but we're up there, although we saw what happened last season (Athletic finished eighth), so we have to move calmly," said their coach Ernesto Valverde.
Athletic took the lead in the 30th minute when Yuri Berchiche zipped in down the left and pulled the ball across the face of goal for Berenguer to gleefully convert. Berenguer netted his second before half-time when the ball deflected into his path in the box and he tucked it into the bottom corner for his fourth league goal of the season.
"This season I'm not playing so much, I have to take advantage of the chances I get, like today," said Berenguer. Real Sociedad barely troubled Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon in the first half and the hosts shut them down again after the break. Eventually Oyarzabal improvised a chested finish at the death to pull La Real back into the game and make Athletic sweat through six minutes of stoppage time.
Valverde's side are seven points behind leaders Real Madrid and Girona, second, who visit winless Almeria on Sunday aiming to become solo leaders. Real Sociedad, sixth, are now nine points away from the top four.
"We didn't get stuck into the battles with the
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