Athletic records at the end of the year

The draw at the Bernabéu cut off any chance of playing in the UEFA Conference League. Sancet’s ‘cod’ put Athletic seventh inside three minutes, the time elapsed for Budimir to overtake Osasuna at El Sadar. Its consequences are not up to you. If they had beaten Elche, the rojiblancos would have been a continental team, but that means nothing.

The Athletic season deserves, in my opinion, a sufficiently high rating (5.5). More than enough (5) because they fought to the end for Europe, but it didn’t end well (6).

For many, it seems like a high grade because they were burned after adding half a dozen years without sealing the ticket to the continental, but I remain in this campaign with Valverde. On its merits and demerits.

Jon Uriarte, the Athletic coach himself, and Iker Muniain set continental classification as the team’s goal at the beginning of the season. They haven’t arrived yet and for many it’s a failure. I refuse the major.

This is punishment for a show of ambition. If the goal is to save the category, do we give them 10 to meet the goal? Obviously not.

For me, achieving survival comfortably is enough (5). I start from that base, although many see it as a lack of ambition. From there, arriving with European options until the final day gives him a half-point rise. It doesn’t give more.

Best players

In the ninth edition of the ‘Onena José Iragorri Trophy’ where we reward the best lion of the season, this course leaves us with two ex aequo winners: Iñaki Williams and Oihan Sancet. Both lions tied as ‘Pitxitxi’ of the rojiblanco team as far as LaLiga is concerned with 10 goals, although the eldest of Williams added another in the Cup. They are the two most consistent players in the squad.

Yeray’s physical problems prevented him from fighting for that award, but the central defender was among the highlights. Let’s hope that groin surgery allows him to lead the rojiblanca defense next season after the departure of Iñigo Martínez. Ondarrutarra is one of the best players in the squad, but injuries and his contractual situation do not allow him to perform as expected.

The great joy of the season was given to us by Óscar de Marcos, not only because of his renewal, but because he was able to perform at a high level. Something not expected by many, I even thought to myself.

In the failure chapter there are several applicants. From Iñigo Martínez, who played only 15 games, to Capa or Vencedor who spent almost a whole year in white. I opted for the right back, since he renewed his contract as a lion with this coach after the arrival of the new board of directors in Ibaigane and he has not convinced the coach even to play as a replacement.