Athletic’s problem is leaving homework to finish

The normal thing to see what was seen yesterday at the Bernabéu from Athletic’s point of view is to talk about the good game played by Valverde’s team, the point harvested in a scenario where the lions have not won since in the 2004-2005 season, the penalty awarded by Kroos’ hand missed by Vesga and against by Yuri’s slap on Militao converted by Benzema, with the French striker always scoring in Bilbao’s goal, his farewell at the white club, whether this is his last game as a Raúl lion or not. Garcia and even de Zarraga…

All these issues and some others, however, were overcome after the final whistle of this classic against Real Madrid by the confirmation of the news, which has not been new for several years now, that Athletic is once again left in Europe. It rains when it pours, but it’s hard to get used to. More than a campaign in which Valverde’s men got everything or almost everything in their favor to fulfill the goal that Jon Uriarte, the last president to occupy Ibaigane’s seat, has Valverde’s stage and Muniain in the press room from Lezama.

Osasuna, yes yes Osasuna, left the Bilbao club without seventh place in the qualifying table, a place that gives them the right to play next season in the Conference. From the distance of the rojiblancos with respect to Real, it is better not to mention. It is difficult to sell an illusion in the environment of rojiblanco who saw what he saw and lived what he lived this season.

And now?

Now all that remains is to resign oneself, study carefully what has happened throughout the season, especially in what determines the matches, and act accordingly. It doesn’t seem like a good sign that the club has sent the message that the League will end first, then see how many competitions the lions have next season and then act accordingly in terms of squad composition.

The good game that Athletic played yesterday in the field of second in the League and current champions of the Cup should not confuse anyone. The meringues, despite that feeling, didn’t step on the accelerator anytime soon. Valverde’s men, raining, pouring, were once again punished for their lack of goal-scoring, something in which a very good and highly inspired Courtois also had a lot to do.

Homework, say senior vocation teachers, should not be left to the last day. Valverde and his troops insisted on postponing the task and by the time they wanted to know, Osasuna was already in Europe on vacation.