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Aritz Aduriz`s strike gives Athletic Bilbao first La Liga win since August
Athletic Bilbao will now lock horns with Alaves at Mendizorrotza Stadium on December 18, while Girona will face Sevilla in their next La Liga clash on Decemer 16.
Athletic Bilbao won their first La Liga match since their opener in August when an added-time penalty from veteran striker Aritz Aduriz secured a 1-0 win over Girona for newly-installed manager Gaizka Garitano on Tuesday.
Bilbao`s former goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz had an inspired night for the visitors and it looked like the struggling Basque outfit, who parted company with coach Eduardo Berrizo last week, would go a 14th league game without a victory.
However, there was late drama when Bilbao substitute Iker Muniain was felled in the box and VAR confirmed it was a penalty. Aduriz, 37, kept his cool to score with a Panenka-style chip down the middle to send San Mames Stadium into raptures.
It was the perfect start for Garitano, who has been promoted from managing the club`s `B` team, with Bilbao still in the final relegation place but now on 14 points from 15 games and only below Villarreal on their head-to-head record.
They are the only team besides Real Madrid and Barcelona to never never relegate from Spain`s top flight.
Athletic Bilbao will now lock horns with Alaves at Mendizorrotza Stadium on December 18, while Girona will face Sevilla in their next La Liga clash on Decemer 16.