**Athletic Bilbao Triumphs Over Las Palmas in La Liga with Set Piece Success**

In a thrilling encounter in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday, showcasing their clinical finishing and reliance on set pieces. The match, played at San Mames, was a contest of attrition, but Athletic ultimately emerged victorious thanks to two well-timed goals and a defensive resilience that held off a late surge from their opponents.

The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to break down their opponents' defenses. Athletic’s best chance came in the 18th minute when Williams, the club’s star striker, fired a powerful shot from outside the box that forced a stunning save from Las Palmas goalkeeper David Sima. Despite this early promise, the half ended goalless, with both teams looking to impose their attacking styles in the second half.

The turning point came in the 55th minute when Athletic took advantage of a set piece. A perfectly executed free-kick by Williams found Nolascio, whose towering header flew into the top corner, giving the home side the lead. The goal was a direct result of their set-piece expertise, a strategy that has been a cornerstone of coach Ernesto Valverde’s tactics this season.

Las Palmas responded with renewed urgency, and in the 63rd minute, they leveled the score through a clinical counter-attack. A through ball found Rony, who slotted home with precision. However, Athletic refused to back down and, just nine minutes later, they restored their lead. Another well-executed set piece, this time a corner kick delivered by Williams, saw Nolascio rise highest in the box to head home his second goal of the game.

Despite a late rally by Las Palmas, who came close to equalizing through a header from Rony, Athletic’s defense held firm, ensuring the three points stayed with the home side. The victory, inspired by their set-piece strategy, moves Athletic Bilbao up to seventh place in the La Liga standings, providing a much-needed boost ahead of their next fixtures.

Fans of Athletic Bilbao will take great satisfaction from this win, not just for the three points but for the way their team adapted to the challenge and capitalized on their strengths. With Valverde’s tactical acumen and the never-say-die attitude of his players, Athletic Bilbao continues to show their credentials as a contender in this season’s La Liga.