Bielsa has always spoken wonders of his passage through Bilbao, by Bizkaia and for him Athletic. He did so, remembering a few days ago the famous visit with the lions to Old trafford in 2012. A mark that lasts. Why recall it now? Because I was visiting the Theater of Dreams, this time with him Leeds. It was not the same, nor similar. From 2-3 to 6-2. Already said Kendall, another zurigorri myth, in his departure from Bilbao: “The best club in the world. If I go to another club, I go down ”. And he wasn't talking about results.
The words of Bielsa reminded me of the Athletic playing on Thursdays, I got hold of Youtube to review the continental adventures of that campaign and some more. I admit that I feel envy, I do not know if it heals, when I see now the commitments of the Europa League or the recent draw for sixteenths of Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Granada. Will intersect with Manchester United, Salzburg and Napoli. Three rivals who succumbed to the rojiblancos this decade.
I remember Caparros, of Bielsa, of Valverde. Seven European banknotes in nine seasons between 2009 and 2017. It seemed like an obligation and was taken as everyday. Now it's been several years watching European tournaments on television. You have to demand, yes, but knowing the difficulty it entails. Learn to value what you have. Something that is valid for football and for other areas of life.