The balance of the season was more than positive for Athletic

It is true that I will review the season with an open sporting front in an Athletic key. And the women’s first team have two days left to complete a campaign they did not expect to be very good in terms of results and games. Until last Friday, he still had options in the Champions League, and that’s saying a lot. I hope I can finish in fifth place and the farewell in San Mamés against Sevilla is on par with David Aznar’s. We must recognize the work of the Madrid coach in the growth of the game and of some soccer players. Next season is promising.

The men’s first team is on vacation. After the victory in Vallecas, Valverde’s men are enjoying their free time until they return to training in July to start preparing a campaign in which they will seek four titles: League, Cup, Super Cup and Europa League. This season will be remembered.

The Cup title, 40 years later. Gabarra once again crossed the estuary with thousands and thousands of Athletic fans on both banks and gave us images that hopefully won’t take long to see again. The penalty scored by Berenguer and La Gabarra, the best of the season. It is true that in order to reach the title, Valverde’s team also left us some rounds to remember along the way.

Barcelona day with half of Bizkaia waiting for a flight from Paris to find out if Iñaki Williams would arrive, and not only did he arrive, but he scored in extra time. And then we found out that there was a crystal embedded in his foot. crazy

A fantastic Athletic

The League left us with a fantastic Athletic team in San Mamés. In numbers, games and goals. Historical. One of the keys to fifth place. Outside of Bilbao, Valverde’s men performed at a more than acceptable level, although draws with Almería, Cádiz or Granada (relegated teams) kept appearing, which could always raise the bar. But wait, just to find some buts.

I will choose the best player, the revelation player and the disappointment player. In the first section I have doubts between two: Unai Simón and Iñaki Williams. Because the Ghana international’s goals were key, but so were Murgia’s saves. Given all of the above, given that maturity point, I tip the balance for going forward.

There are also many candidates for revelation: Paredes, Prados and even Galarreta, I would say. But I will stick with Gorka Guruzeta because the number of goals and the game he has developed is something I did not expect.

And as for disappointment, in such a positive year there is little to choose from. I expect more from Asier Villlaliber. I was hoping for a better performance from Gernika. What minutes do you have, what do you have, yes; but it is for a reason. El Búfalo sends some very interesting values, at least I like them, but its future, it seems, outside of Bilbao. May it be well.

We also close the season in this space, on this ‘other’ Thursday. It’s a pleasure and I hope you enjoy the bib game. I’m doing another round with the numbers for next year. Good summer. It won’t be something from another Thursday.