Athletic Bilbao 1 - Tenerife 2

Bilbao: Lafuente; Javi González, Lacruz, Murillo, Larrazábal; Orbaiz (Carlos García 62'), Alkiza; Joseba Etxeberria, Julen Guerrero, Yeste (Tiko 57'); Urzaiz (Ezquerro 62'). 4-2-3-1.
Tenerife: Sergio Aragoneses; Manel, David Charcos, Lussenhoff, Bermudo; Jordi, Martí, Bino, Iván Ania (Alexis 92'); Bicho Fuertes (Antonio Hidalgo 81'), Bruno Marioni (Pier 85'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Bilbao: Murillo, Julen Guerrero for Oscar Vales, Tiko / Tenerife: David Charcos, Bermudo, Jordi, Bino, Bicho Fuertes for Javi Venta, Pablo Paz, Basavilbaso, Hugo Morales, Xisco.

Goals:
0-1. 72. Bicho Fuertes. Long free kick into top corner of net off crossbar.
0-2. 74. Marioni. From one yard out after mix up between Lafuente and Larazábal.
1-2. 80. Julen Guerrero. Ran on to half hit shot from Tiko to guide ball home.

Athletic Bilbao missed out on the chance to move up to second place with their third home defeat of the season, losing in the San Mames stadium to struggling Tenerife. Jupp Heynckes decided to bring back Julen Guerrero to the starting line up for the first time in two months, leaving Tiko and Ezquerro on the bench despite their contribution to Bilbao's ten match unbeaten run. Promising youngster Anders Murillo, wearing the number 46 shirt, came in for his first start in place of the suspended Oscar Vales. After their recent poor form Pepe Mel made five changes, some forced upon him by injury (Pablo Paz and Basavilbaso) and suspension (Javi Venta). Bicho Fuertes came in for his first start in the league, with Pier taking a position on the bench for the last time before moving on to Extremadura to the end of the season.

Bilbao set off at high speed, but the heavy pitch and Tenerife's terrier like persistence soon wore them down. Fuertes was making most of his opportunity to impress, and he fired a header against the post midway through the first half. At the other end, Yeste wasted an open goal by waiting to long. With an hour gone the visitors were on top, and Heynckes made three quick changes, taking off his top scorer Urzaiz who was being marked out of the game. The introduction of Tiko in particular revitalised their game, but they still found themselves behind when Fuertes hit a spectacular free kick out of reach of Lafuente for his first league goal. Three minutes later an awful mix up between Lafuente and Larrazabal let in Marioni to help the ball over the line. Guerrero did pull one back, but Mel used up the remaining time making substitutions to secure Tenerife's first ever win in Bilbao. The three points helps them out of the relegation zone, taking them a point above Mallorca. Bilbao stay fifth, but having only won twice at home this season they must be ruing the lost opportunities.