Athletic ended a historic season

After nine seasons without making it, Athletic was able to say goodbye to a Liga with a victory in Vallecas. And that’s not the important thing. The main goal, because of how it is celebrated, is to win the Zamora trophy. Unai Simón was wrapped up at the end of the match, but left the field on the hour mark, as NBA stars said goodbye after a long career, while the entire field stood and even hugged the streetlights. I congratulate you.

Of course, he has to suffer every minute of the eternal time he is on the pitch. Rayo has them in all colors, in the first half is not appropriate for historical Athletic, off-center, no positional or ball control. When the red and white are not plugged in, it shows. The others? If they don’t give one hundred percent they are nothing.

They had 36% of the possession and shot with intent, at least, seven times throughout the game. It’s like a preseason clash, and I won’t say more. And the second half was something else.

After 54 years, Zamora went home in time for the game. Thunderous ovation. Perhaps freed, Valverde’s troops led the clash until a good combination between Berenguer – please let him renew – and Nico finished with the youngest brother pushing the ball into Cárdenas’ nets. It was his fifth goal. The file is closed.

Eighteenth clean sheet. Half of the League matches without scoring a goal. Incredible for a team as offensive as Valverde’s Athletic, who scored 61 goals, with at least a 33% improvement compared to last season. At least fifteen different players have scored in the League.

Nineteenth league victory in 38 games and with suggestive, attractive, attacking football, without speculation, looking for the ball and the opposing goal. Making San Mamés into an invincible town kingdom. A time to frame closed with a flourish. Regular, reliable. Without two consecutive defeats in the entire championship, and always in the European positions. Where to sign?