Williams shares blame as Athletic miss three penalties against Girona

Inaki Williams acknowledged Athletic Bilbao missing three penalties against Girona cannot happen in LaLiga, while taking the blame for his part in the disappointment.

Alex Berenguer was denied by Paulo Gazzaniga in the first half from 12 yards, with Williams then denied in the second period by the Girona goalkeeper on Sunday.

Gazzaniga was adjudged to have stepped off his line too early for the Williams spot-kick save, though the former Tottenham man then saved from Ander Herrera’s retaken penalty.

In a remarkable turn of fate, Cristhian Stuani converted a 99th-minute penalty for the visiting Girona to snatch a 2-1 victory, much to the dismay of Athletic winger Williams.

“There are no excuses, we missed three penalties. I plead absolutely guilty, we can’t miss three penalties. This can’t happen in LaLiga,” a frustrated Williams said.

With Williams’ miss not officially counting due to the retake, Athletic became the first side in LaLiga to miss two penalties in one match since Real Madrid in 2022.

2 – @Athletic_en have failded to score two penalties in a single game in @LaLigaEN for the first time in the 21st century, and is the first team to do so in the competition since Real Madrid in Pamplona in 2022. Punishment.#Athletic#GironaFC pic.twitter.com/d95zgd9Ind

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 6, 2024

It was also the first time this century that the Basque club have suffered such a feat in the competition, solely down to the heroic exploits of Gazzaniga.

“I’m happy for the three points the team got. I don’t remember another match like this,” Gazzaniga said.

“Again, I would like to highlight the work of the team because without them it wouldn’t have been possible.

“We were studying the penalties with the goalkeeping coach and this time it worked out well.”

Girona’s victory ended a four-match winless run in LaLiga heading into the October international break.