Valencia was better or more practical than Athletic, period. The lions were left with honey on their lips despite having previously left Barça and Real Madrid in the gutter. The only match of this edition of the KO tournament not won in San Mamés was extremely expensive for them.
It is one thing to be eliminated and quite another to be carried away by the prevailing catastrophism in this type of negative situation. Neither Marcelino’s team was so good before these semifinals, nor is it so bad now. Virtue, as Aristotle said, is in the middle.
We have to admit that the team that was more practical and effective in this tie than the team from Bilbao. First in San Mamés and later in Mestalla. He did not give the impression at any time of being an inaccessible rival for the lions, but the truth is that he knew how to handle his weapons, on and off the field, to perfection.
It would be good to take note and learn the lesson well. In football there are a thousand different ways of competing and the really important thing is to be faithful to your own and, above all, to make it profitable. Athletic was this time halfway through everything.
Another hard setback, without a doubt, in a red and white key. The lions can not be put any but at the level of delivery, fight and push. Another thing is that the team and some individuals were not at the desired level.
The Cup is already history for this year. An uncertain future also opens up for Athletic. It only remains to wait for events.