Iker Muniain’s first half goal was cancelled out by Gonzalo Higuain, but Athletic Bilbao held out for a 1-1 draw against Napoli.
Ernesto Valverde named a full-strength line-up for the match at Stadio San Paolo in the first leg of the Champions League play-off, with Iker Muniain, Benat and Markel Susaeta supporting Aritz Aduriz up front. The Italian outfit meanwhile, gave starts to Spaniards Raul Albiol and Jose Maria Callejon.
And it was the home team who got off to the brighter start, creating a decent chance within the opening two minutes. A cross from Higuain on the left found Marek Hamsik, but the forward’s header couldn’t find the target.
With so much at stake, it was only natural that there would be some meaty challenges in the opening exchanges – luckily though, the blood and thunder approach didn’t boil over, as both teams looked to claim what would be an invaluable early goal.
Mikel Rico and Susaete attempted to find the back of the net from long range, but Rafael in the Partenopei goal was not tested by either effort. Up the other end, a Callejon free kick almost found the head of Miguel Britos, but neither side seemingly had their shooting boots on.
It was Aymeric Laporte who had the best opportunity for the Basques however, on the half hour mark. A corner from Benat was whipped in from the right-hand side, but the French youngster’s header just shaved the top of the bar.
After a shaky start, Los Leones were really growing into the game, and got their deserved goal with just three minutes remaining of the half. A mazy run from Oscar De Marcos saw the defender on the edge of the area, he then squared to Muniain, who placed a delightful past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
After the break, the Liga outfit went again where they had left off – getting first to every ball, creating more chances and looking impenetrable at the back.
The Serie A side looked powerless to stop what would be a demoralising defeat, but out of absolutely nowhere, an equaliser came. Higuain picked up the ball on the edge of the area, pushed the ball further and further wide, but shot back across goal and into the bottom right-hand corner.
The goal seemed to spur Benitez’s men into life, and they had a golden opportunity to come from behind just moments later. A through ball from Gokhan Inler found Callejon, but the former Madrid man couldn’t slip his effort past Gorka Iraizoz.
The shot-stopper was in fine form as Dries Mertens and then Higuain made him work – but Athletic held out for a superb draw.
Napoli 1-1 Athletic
Scorers: Higuain 68 (N); Muniain 42 (AB)
Napoli: Rafael; Maggio, Albiol, Koulibaly, Britos; Jorginho, Gargano; Insigne (Mertens 60), Hamsik (Michu 79), Callejon; Higuain
Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gupergi, Laporte, Balenziaga; Rico, Iturraspe (Moran 89); Susaeta (Ibai Gomez 79), Benat (San Jose 75), Muniain; Aduriz.
