MAN CITY U21 1, ATHLETIC BILBAO U21 2
Manchester City under-21s remain bottom of group D in the Premier League International Cup following their home defeat by Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.
It has been a far from distinguished campaign for City as they have so far picked up only one point from a possible nine.
That was a home draw against Borussia Monchengladbach while they also lost at home to Sunderland.
City had their chances, but lacked a cutting edge while Bilbao seized their openings as Urtzi Urcelay and Gorka Guruzeta scored their all-important goals.
And all City had to show for their efforts was a strike from Bersant Celina.
City could have been 2-0 ahead inside five minutes, both chances falling to Thierry Ambrose.
The French teenage was denied by keeper Jon Ander Felipe’s excellent save after 45 seconds and then fired wide and bursting clean through for the a second time.
The Spanish side’s keeper was also called into action to deny David Faupala as City made the brighter start after Bilbao had been delayed en route forcing kick off to be delayed by 15 minutes.
And in first half stoppage time, City had another great chance to break the deadlock when substitute Manu Garcia was denied by another top save by Felipe.
It looked as though those misses would prove costly when Bilbao stole ahead within four minutes of the restart.
They broke down the right and, aided by a missed tackle, the ball was squared to Urcelay who slotted the ball home.
The goal jolted City into action and they were level within four minutes when Aaron Nemane wriggled to the byline before cutting the ball back to Celina who had an easy finish with a low shot.
The game had sparked to life and Bilbao could have quickly regained the head but for a good save from Angus Gunn to turn a shot by Lander Olaetxea round the post for a corner.
City were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men with 16 minutes left when Gunn raced from his area and tripped an opponent as he burst clear.
But their luck ran out minutes later substitute Alexander Valino broke down the right and crossed for Guruzeta to score with a free header.
Late on Ambrose had a great chance to equalise, but headed over from inside the six-yard box.