Athletic Club 0-FC Barcelona 1

Athletic Club have tasted the bitter flavour of football in their first league appearance of the 2003-2004 season, and in spite of playing a better match, they could not overcome the renovated FC Barcelona. The Catalans scored their goal quite soon, in the 10th minute of play, thanks to a header from Cocu, although the chances have been ‘rojiblancas’, both before and after the rival goal. Only in the last minutes of the match, due to their will to win, and their logical exhaustion, the ‘azulgranas’ have come dangerously close to Aranzubia’s area.

Within the bitter taste of defeat, we should point out various aspects of yesterday’s match. On one hand, the professional debut to official match play of Andoni Iraola and Jonan Garcia. On the other hand, the fabulous behaviour of our ‘rojiblanco’ fans, who are always with the team, even in the most difficult moments of the match.

Finally, point out that one of the most emotional moments of the night came when everyone observed one minute of silence in memory of former president Javier Uria. The public at San Mamés standing, and in complete silence; the team embracing in the center circle, and the sound of the piano playing our hymn, reminding us what we are, and where we come from, through the image of our beloved president.