Athletic Club on the runway of Milán

Jose Angel Iribar, our great myth, has received the recognition of the Italian football to the magnificent trajectory of the red-and-white entity for 122 years. The Gianni Brera Award, shared with three potential clubs such as Inter, Real Madrid and Barcelona, is a further step forward in our philosophy. The reason is clear: it is one of the four clubs from the five major leagues that have always competed in the top category.

The standing ovation of the Teatro dal Verme when Iribar modeled his majestic figure was tremendous. We were in Milán, where his Athletic Club resisted an assault by Gianni Rivera’s team on 1976, December 8, in the UEFA’s Round of 16. They had won 4-1 at San Mamés and the Rossoneri team went 3-0. A penalty on the great Txetxu Rojo, scored in the 88th minute by the ambidextrous Madariaga, with his unnatural left leg, qualified the lions.

Iribar, with a fever of 40, did the rest. Then they would win against Cruyff’s Barça, Belgium’s Racing White and bow their knee against Juventus Zoff and Bettega for the winger’s goal at La Catedral.

Gianni Brera, a journalist who was a true icon in Italy, experienced this first-hand. He was a defender and almost an inspiration for the famous Catenaccio, which faced Sacchi for its attacking and zonal football. He lived as his own the success of Enzo Bearzot’s Italy in the 82nd World Cup. And he faced Rivera (whom he called Abatino, abad), whom he demanded greater sacrifice on the field. Before Brera’s death in a car accident, they settled the issue at a table with some soup.

The stage, with Emilio Butragueno, Guillermo Amor and Giuseppe Marotta, with legendary goalscorer Jose Altafini and also with award-winning Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic and Italian football coach Milena Bertolini… A beautiful place to show off Athletic. Just three steps from the Duomo.