Athletic Club Concludes 2025 with Home Defeat Against Espanyol

Athletic Club closed out the year with a defeat at home against Espanyol at San Mamés. Under the management of Ernesto Valverde, the team faced this setback against Manolo González’s side, concluding a year filled with both successes and challenges, particularly in this final stretch.

Following the match, one of the club’s captains, Iñigo Lekue, shared his reflections on the last game of the year. He adopted a self-critical stance while also acknowledging that the loss was not entirely justified. “Perhaps the match reflected the pattern of our first part of the season. We created opportunities, but we failed to capitalize on them; today, perhaps even more clearly than before. At two crucial moments, we made concessions that genuinely hurt us. In the heat of the moment, I believe we didn’t deserve to lose, but that’s football for you,” he stated.

Espanyol effectively managed their game plan and maintained possession for significant portions of the match at the iconic venue. The visitors demonstrated why they currently sit in fifth place, ending 2025 with five consecutive league victories. “They are a team filled with confidence and believe in themselves when ahead. They might generate few chances, but they do so with purpose. At two key moments in the game, they seized those opportunities, took the lead, and we were unable to respond,” Lekue added.

Looking ahead to 2026, Lekue concluded his remarks with an optimistic outlook, emphasizing the team’s resilience. “We now have a week to disconnect, clear our minds, and return stronger. The year 2026 is packed with objectives that we hope to achieve gradually. We must trust in the team; we will fight until the end.”