Almería 1 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Almería: Diego Alves; Bruno, Carlos García, Pulido, Mané; Felipe Melo (Soriano 57'), Juanito, Corona (Kalu Uche 82'); Juanma Ortíz (José Ortiz 54'), Negredo, Crusat. 4-3-3.
Athletic: Armando; Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Amorebieta, Koikili; Javi Martínez (Orbaiz 66'); Susaeta (Ustaritz 89'), Etxeberría (Aduríz 72'), Yeste, Gabilondo; Llorente. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Almería: Pulido, Corona, Felipe Melo, Crusat for Acasiete, Domingo Cisma, Soriano, Kalu Uche / Athletic: Etxeberría, Gabilondo for Muñoz, Aitor Ramos.

Goals:
1-0. 59. Negredo (penalty). After Yeste held back José Ortíz inside area.
1-1. 70. Llorente. Header past Diego Alves after Susaeta headed ball across.

Almería have virtually achieved their pre-season objective of another year in the top flight, although they lost ground on the European spots after a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao. They have keeper Diego Alves to thank though for even taking a point, the Brazilian keeper making first class saves from Koikili, Yeste and Gabilondo in the first half, and Gabilondo again after the restart.

The locals only troubled Armando with a couple of efforts from Felipe Melo and Juanma Ortíz before the break, but on the hour mark Negredo gave them the lead from the penalty spot after Yeste pushed over José Ortíz in side the area. Athletic came back however, Pulido deflecting a shot from Llorente over the bar before Orbaiz and Susaeta combined to set up the young striker to equalise ten minutes later. Athletic ended the weekend just a point above the bottom three.