Athletic Bilbao checked promoted Villarreal's impressive early-season run when they beat the team with the distinctive canary-yellow strip 2-0 at their new San Mames Stadium in La Liga on Monday.
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Villarreal were already two goals down when captain Bruno Soriano, one of Spain's most elegant midfielders, was harshly shown a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time.
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Midfielder Mikel Rico had put Bilbao ahead with a 33rd-minute header and forward Aritz Aduriz ended a barren spell with his first of the campaign when he punished a defensive howler from Mateo Musacchio two minutes later.
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Bilbao, who have struggled on the road but have now won four and drawn one at the San Mames, climbed to sixth on 16 points from nine games, while Villarreal, who held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at their Madrigal arena last month, stay fourth on 17.
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"We have put ourselves in a good position and what we need to do now is to get some positive away results," Bilbao captain Andoni Iraola said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Cuatro.
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"We are feeling fantastic here at home and are delighted with the new stadium," he added.
Very good and well deserved win for Athletic Bilbao!