And now the barge, Athletic

He played and played. At last Athletic was proclaimed the champion of the Cup. 40 years later and through suffering. In the penalty shootout. Many of those who were sure to criticize the triple change of Raúl García, Iker Muniain and Álex Berenguer had to swallow their words when the three veteran red-and-white players, two more than the third, scored from the deadly point and, with Vesga and Agirrezabala, allowed to sing the alirón. The 25th.

It’s not a good football game, but it’s very exciting. From start to finish, with extra time and the heads or tails of final penalties. The lions behaved like that, they knew how to overcome adversity, the old cupbearer ghosted and removed the smile from the lips of a rival, who, in the manner and manner of what happened against Real in the semi-finals, went to fate of punishments amidst laughter, hugs, boats and other licenses. This time, however, the move went wrong.

Valverde’s team finally got rid of the old ghosts. In the seventh or so. Knows how to come back and give immense joy to his ardent fans. Yes, this time yes. The barge is now preparing to sail into the estuary. The jinx is over.

The meeting had many encounters in itself. Mallorca started better, but Athletic gradually imposed its law. Drawing on experience and craft. Caste even. The people of Palma knew how to fight, but this time they did not win. Not every day is a party. Vasco’s tactics were not enough to lift the Cup.

Expected start at eleven o’clock

Valverde faced this decisive challenge with the expected starting eleven. Yuri, recovering from his latest injury, returns to the left flank with Nico Williams, also absent from the Bernabéu, leading the way. Many surnames are the same as before, but their bearers do not seem to be the same. The pressure of the finals once again overwhelmed some Athletic players.

Mallorca also emerged with more or less expectations in terms of lineup and strategy. Aguirre, an old fox, initiates Lato and Darder. The vermillions were planted on the lawn of La Cartuja with their classic 5-3-2.

Athletic gave the impression of coming out determined to impose its law. Mallorca didn’t even budge. Their defensive system works perfectly and in attack they have little to scare a tense Agirrezabala. Greif, the vermilion goalkeeper, was, however, the first to intervene. Muriqi put the Bilbao goalkeeper to the test shortly after.

The lions were not taken lightly and Aguirre’s got looser as the minutes passed. Those from Palma don’t mind playing their offensive tricks with throw-ins at the near post.

And in that situation came Mallorca’s goal. Corner kick, some poor rebounds from the red and white defense, a save by Agirrezabala and the ball into the net pushed by the force and placement of Dani Rodríguez on the rebound. The specter of the lost finals began to haunt the red and white ranks.

The red-and-white reaction resulted in a Guruzeta shot deflected by Greif, a goal disallowed for Nico Williams due to a very fair offside, another option not completed by the diminutive Williams and another Guruzeta shot slightly deflected.

The second half started with a chance from Larín, a deflected shot from Galarreta and a goal from Sancet after a drop shot from Nico Williams. Athletic, with Vesga for Prados, left all its fears in the booth. The vermilions, knowing the situation, chose to go to the cave. Muriqi, however, gave Agirrezabala another scare.

Aguirre, an old fox, came off the bench with a double substitution. Morlanes and Antonio Sánchez came on for Darder and Larín. The offensive attack of the lions became complicated again. Guruzeta has chosen something. Yuri too.

With less than a quarter of an hour left, Valverde opted to bring on Unai Gómez for Galarreta. The match set despite Vivian and Guru’s last chance, so they had to go to extra time.

Valverde started it with a triple substitution. Veterans Muniain, Raúl García and Berenguer replaced Sancet, Guruzeta and Iñaki Williams. Significant. Muniain had the two clearest scoring options before the second break with Lekue for Yuri. The lions, with their rivals clamoring for time, tried to the end, but without success. Everything was decided on penalties.

ATHLETICS

11

MAJORCA

Athletic Club: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri (Lekue, m.106+); Prados (Vesga, m.46), Galarreta (Unai Gómez, m.79); Iñaki Williams (Berenguer, m.91), Sancet (Muniain, m.91), Nico Williams; and Guruzeta (Raúl García, d.91).

Majorca: Greif; Gío González, Valjent (Maffeo, m.91), Raillo, Copete (Nastasic, m.107+), Lato (Van der Heyden, m.109); Samu Costa, Sergi Darder (Antonio Sánchez, m.62), Dani Rodríguez (Radonjic, m.73); Larin (Morlanes, m.62) and Muriqi.

The objectives: 0-1, m.21: Dani Rodríguez. 1-1, m.50: Sancet.

Penalties: Muriqi, goal: 1-0. Raúl García, goal: 1-1. Morlanes, for Agirrezabala. Muniain, purpose; 1-2. Radonjic, out. Vesga, goal: 1-3. Antonio Sánchez, goal: 2-3. Berenguer, goal: 2-4.

Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero (Andalusian Committee). He showed a card to Paredes (m.27), from Athletic; and Muriqi (m.91) and Radnjic (m.118), from Mallorca.

VAR referee: Eduardo Prieto Iglesias (Navarro Committee).

Happenings: Copa de Rey Final played at La Cartuja Stadium filled with around 60,000 spectators. Of the total capacity, two-thirds were Athletic fans and one-third were Mallorca fans.

see the match sheet