Unai Gómez scores again for Athletic, then lays on second at Son Moix | OneFootball

Unai Gómez stepped up again for Athletic, scoring the equaliser at Son Moix and later setting up Nico Williams, all on the night he brought up 100 appearances. It capped a decisive week for the Bermeo-born midfielder.

Gómez levelled in the seventh minute from Gorka Guruzeta’s pass. Three minutes earlier Vedat Muriqi had put Mallorca ahead, finishing a Sergi Darder-led counter that Athletic failed to deal with. El Correo notes that his expletive-laced roar at the celebration suggested release.

The goal was Gómez’s second of the season, and his first time scoring in back-to-back games for Athletic. Muriqi now has 12 of Mallorca’s 22 league goals, 55 percent, starting the second half as he ended the first, by scoring.

On Tuesday he settled the Copa tie at Cultural Leonesa 3-4 with an extra-time penalty. Introduced on 72 minutes, he took responsibility with Athletic down to 10 after Aitor Paredes was sent off. Moments earlier he had hit the post, and Valverde told him or Robert Navarro to take the kick, saying Nico Williams was exhausted.

Those exploits earned Ernesto Valverde’s reward, a first start in almost two months. Gómez had not begun a match since 22 November at Camp Nou and had logged only 620 minutes this season. He operated as a holding midfielder in León and as a No 10 in Palma.

He has also been used on the wing, up front and even at left-back. His versatility and application continue to make him a reliable option.

Source: El Correo