Europa League

Sassuolo 3 – Athletic Bilbao 0

Sassuolo: Consigli; Pol Lirola, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Letschert; Biondini, Magnalello, Mazzitelli (Duncan 73’); Ricci (Ragusa 53’), Defrel (Matri 82’), Politano. 4-3-3.
Athletic: Herrerín; De Marcos, Yeray, Laporte, Balenziaga (Lekue 76‘); San José, Beñat; Williams (Aduriz 53‘), Raúl García, Muniain (Susaeta 53‘); Sabín Merino. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 59. Pol Lirola. Picked up ball in midfield and ran on to shoot across Herrerín.
2-0. 74. Defrel. Intercepted poor San José back pass and struck shot past keeper.
3-0. 81. Politano. Controlled Defrel pass and fired low shot inside of near post.

Yellow cards: Acerbi 52’, Mazzitelli 61’, Raúl García 92’.

A disastrous start for Athletic Bilbao in their latest European campaign, the Basque side losing 3-0 to Italian newcomers Sassuolo. Valverde’s side started well, Yeray and De Marcos going close, and later in the first half Beñat put Consigli to the test with a couple of efforts. However with just under an hour on the clock Spanish youth international cut a swathe through the defence to give the locals the lead, and a few minutes later Defrel made it two after San José gifted the ball to him. With ten minutes to go Defrel set up Politano for a third, and only a good save by Herrerín prevented Ragusa from adding a fourth near the end.