Athletic Club are in a unique position in their history. Just once in the last 37 years have Los Leones finished in the top four and qualified for the Champions League, but that would result in a painful play-off round defeat. Now they find themselves in pole position for that elusive Champions League spot, but keeping focus on their La Liga campaign will not be easy with the chance to make history in Europe – in their own stadium.
The Europa League final will be held at San Mames this May, and while winning the competition seemed an impossible dream twelve months ago, Athletic know that only Rangers and one of Olympique Lyon or Manchester United stand between them and a final in Bilbao. That would be a one-off, and a chance to make history for a second time in successive seasons, with their first ever European trophy.
At the same time, they know that finishing in the top four – and likely in the top five due to La Liga’s coefficient performance – will guarantee them a spot in the Champions League group phase next season for the first time since 1988. A mouth-watering prize for Ernesto Valverde’s side, they have a six-point gap to Real Betis in sixth, but a tough run of fixtures in the final eight games.
That includes away trips to Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Getafe and Valencia, while they will host Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, Alaves and Barcelona in the final game of the season – click now if you’re keen to get tickets to any of those mouth-watering clashes. Two of those clashes are title-contenders, two are Basque derbies, Valencia are the form side in La Liga and Getafe one of the most miserly defences.
It means Valverde will be able to give his side little respite between their European ties. If they are to come through on both fronts their own defensive prowess will need to hold up. Goals have slowly become an issue again, but if Nico Williams, Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet are all in the side, Athletic will fancy their chances of scoring. Where they might find it tougher to maintain intensity is at the back, where the domineering Dani Vivian and Mikel Jauregizar roam the centre of the pitch. Their sharpness will be crucial, but equally veterans Yuri Berchiche, Inigo Lekue and Oscar de Marcos will need to hold up at the full-back positions.
