Athletic is having a very irregular season in the League. The rojiblancos have remained in no man's land, although they still have mathematical options to reach the seventh place that would allow them to play next season in the Conference League, a new competition that has been drawn from UEFA's sleeve. Monday's victory has placed the lions within six points of Betis, the team that would play this newly created tournament if the regularity tournament ended at this time. But there are only twelve points left at stake. It seems mission impossible.
In any case, the Bilbao team has demonstrated this course the ability to stand up to the most powerful teams in the regularity tournament. The last victory came against Sevilla, fourth classified, at Sánchez Pizjuán, with a goal from Iñaki
Williams in the 90th minute after taking advantage of a magnificent counter led by Oihan
Sancet. The rojiblancos also defeated the Hispanics in the first round (2-1), still with Gaizka
Garitano coach.
Likewise, Athletic has won one of the two league games against Atlético. It was a few dates ago, on April 25, with a team full of young people. Berenguer made it 1-0, Savic tied and Iñigo
Martinez scored the winning goal with a great header from a corner kick from Ibai. The Madrilenians won in the match played at their stadium on March 10, postponed at the time by the temporary Filomena. The group led by Cholo
Simeone it remains the leader with 76 points, two more than Real Madrid and Barça, while Sevilla seem to have lost the hook for the title fight.
Athletic has not been able to defeat Catalans and whites in the regularity tournament. Before those of Koeman he lost at San Mamés (2-3) and at the Camp Nou (2-1) and against the whites he fell in Valdebebas 3-1 on matchday 19. The Bilbao appointment is still pending in one of the great classics of the championship. It will be the weekend of May 15 and 16 after the lions receive Osasuna this Saturday and visit Huesca on Wednesday 12.
The set of Marcelino he did beat these two rivals in the Super Cup. Those led by Zidane fell in the semifinal with two targets from Raul
Garcia and the Catalans in the final played at La Cartuja. Athletic had to equalize twice the goals of Griezmann to force the extension. Williams he sentenced the title with a great goal at the beginning of extra time. However, one of the disappointments of the season came in the match for the Cup title against the Catalans.