Athletic Club’s Quest for European Glory Amidst Challenges

Athletic Club commenced the season with a primary goal: to secure a position in European competitions once again. Their aspirations included reaching the Champions League and extending their Copa del Rey journey, as such achievements are synonymous with aiming for the final among the passionate supporters of the club. However, five months into the competition, the team finds itself unsatisfied, having fallen behind the top four in La Liga, and with the Europa League and Conference League positions becoming increasingly distant. The continental train seems to be slipping further away, particularly since Athletic has played one more match than Espanyol and Betis, currently fifth and sixth in the standings.

Last year’s Athletic Club was formidable, especially at home in San Mamés, where they were nearly unbeatable. After the first 26 official matches last season—matching the number played so far this year—Valverde’s squad suffered only one home defeat and two draws. In stark contrast, this season has already seen five defeats and one draw on home turf. “If you compare the numbers, they are not similar; they are worse. Last year, we performed at the highest level, and this year, we are far from that. We have encountered problems, but we must find more solutions. While we cannot fault the effort, we do lack precision, which is something we must improve ourselves,” Valverde remarked following a loss to Espanyol.

In the first half of last season, Athletic Club’s league performance was impressive, with only three defeats (to Barcelona, Atlético, and Real Madrid), nine wins, and six draws. They scored 27 goals, maintaining a +11 goal differential. This strong form was also evident in European competitions, where they finished second in the Europa League standings with five victories and one draw. The team capitalized on this momentum by qualifying for the Champions League and reaching the semifinals of the Europa League.

This season, Athletic has missed the attacking prowess of players like Nico Williams and Sancet, the latter of whom, despite several absences, emerged as a prolific scorer. Nico had an outstanding season last year but has yet to regain his form this season due to pubalgia. The conservative treatment he has been following since returning from summer break is starting to yield results, though it requires a daily regimen of strengthening and preventive exercises, necessitating close attention from the coaching staff to manage his workload.

As the team approaches the resumption of play after the winter break, Valverde remains deeply engaged, with the squad still competing in four tournaments, although he emphasizes the importance of La Liga. Improving in the league, which is vital for the club’s financial stability, requires consistency and matching last season’s performance. The Supercopa, Copa del Rey, and Champions League, where they are set to face two significant matches, will make for a thrilling January.

Valverde is accepting a historic challenge, aiming to conclude his tenth season at the helm of the first team with over 500 official matches managed. Currently, he has directed 478 matches, with 19 remaining in La Liga, along with one in the Supercopa, one in the Copa, and two in the Champions League already secured. Reaching the 500-match milestone is a significant achievement that no one can take away from him, and any success in the upcoming competitions will elevate his legacy further, surpassing a record that remains unmatched in Athletic Club’s history.