Countdown for Athletics

The day before, a strong victory at Getafe served us closer to completing the final goal we were hoping for ourselves, fifth place. A few hours later, the result in Son Moix between Mallorca and Atlético put us before the hard truth. It is especially difficult, certainly unlikely that even if it is still mathematically possible, to achieve a position in the Champions League. Link five consecutive victories? Anything but winning the four remaining games will help Simeone’s men secure this classification with six points. It’s very difficult.

Tomorrow’s scenario is a rivalry in which our rival, Osasuna, has achieved more goals, resolved the season, has no qualifying pressure and almost brought down the curtain. This should be the case except for the enormous motivation facing Athletic always requires for them. Don’t expect a Navarrese team to come along for the ride, even if Chimy Ávila is no longer wearing red.

Their four-game losing streak is not a reference. San Mamés are putting them at the same time as giving them a golden opportunity to put a smile on the faces of their fans. Therefore, put on your sweatshirt to continue adding three at a time. Easy, nothing.

During training sessions the panorama behind seems to become clearer. Dani Vivian’s recovery for the game seems doable. If it’s more than worrying to face a whole season with only three centre-backs, one of whom has been out for a long time due to injuries and returns, we have to solve a new twist after the relegation and subsequent penalty for today’s two starting center-backs in Getafe. Emergency solutions are needed.

Singing reconversions and moving pieces to bet on the common, even out of place, or do you bet on a born central defender from below? History with Valverde will lean towards the first choice. We will see. Rarely can we take this risk with so little at stake. As if that wasn’t enough, the addition for a debutant is the support of the fans. It’s always like this.

And when was Berenguer?

A month and a half after Barañain’s contractual relationship with Athletic, and despite the fact that no one doubts its convenience/necessity, we still have no news. There is even less of a photo signing in Ibaigane.

An Athletic in Europe and needs a large wardrobe to face more competitions and challenges that at the present time require troops like Álex Berenguer, capable of pulling the cart when they are needed from possession and serving in exchange for a full guarantee when one of the above is not going through their best moments.

He is about to turn 29 years old and has a lot more to give. Where would it be better? This season gave him a timeless moment that should help him decide to stay. Outside Athletic it was very cold.

If nothing goes wrong, here in seven days.