Sampaoli's return to Sevilla not quite enough as match with Athletic ends in a draw
After just four minutes, one of new manager Jorge Sampaoli’s seven changes to the starting XI that suffered a disheartening 4-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund in midweek got Sevilla off to the perfect start.
Oliver Torres immediately repaid Sampaoli’s faith in him, firing past Unai Simon following clever build-up play from Argentine duo Gonzalo Montiel and Papu Gomez down the left flank.
Looking to continue their best-ever start to a LaLiga season since the 1956/57 campaign after picking up 16 points from the first seven matches, the visitors were second best as their opponents threatened throughout the first half.
Four consecutive home defeats led to the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui after three years in charge, but Sevilla looked eager to end that run under their new boss, with Simon racing off his line to deny the fast-approaching Gomez.
Bilbao flew out of the tunnel in pursuit of an equaliser at the start of the second half, as Iker Muniain majestically rose above the statuesque Rojiblancos defence only to direct his header inches wide of the post.
Sampaoli freshened up his side shortly before the hour mark by introducing Jesus Manuel Corona and Marcos Acuna into the fray and, after hanging on to the slender lead by the skin of their teeth, Sevilla began to enjoy an increased presence in Bilbao’s final third.
However, Bilbao’s vast improvement in the second half paid dividends in the 73rd minute when substitute Mikel Vesga unleashed a fearsome strike from outside the area that flew past Marko Dmitrovic into the bottom left-hand corner.
With Dmitrovic sublimely keeping out Nico Williams’ strike and Ander Herrera being sent off with the assistance of VAR, Bilbao missed the chance to end the night at the LaLiga summit.
Meanwhile, a share of the spoils in Sampaoli’s first match of his second managerial tenure at Sevilla leaves the Andalusians with only a solitary competitive victory across all competitions this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Oliver Torres (Sevilla)