The pinnacle of bad luck

Athletic Club lost 0-1 to Elche CF on Sunday evening. Athletic had a mountain of chances to win, but succumbed to a Lucas Boyé goal on the counter in the last minute. It was a goal which dropped Los Leones from seventh to eighth in the LaLiga table. 

The only way Athletic can now get into the Conference League is to win at the Santiago Bernabeu and hope Osasuna don't against Girona at El Sadar.

As has been the case in many games this season, Athletic have missed out on all three points due to squandering their chances. There can be no doubting the Lions' efforts. They threw the kitchen sink at Elche and a great Edgar Badía denied them with four incredible saves.

An afternoon of misfortune began with Carlos Clerc blocking an Iñaki Williams effort on the line in the eighth minute. Elche threatened twice, Unai Simon saving from Pedro Bigas and Tete Monente hitting the post.

Alex Berenguer and Williams had further chances in a game which became wide open. To make matters worse, the referee failed to award a penalty for a foul on Berenguer, nor did he blow his whistle when Yuri Berchiche was brought down in the box. 

Raúl García made an impact after being brought on around the hour mark. The forward tested Badia on three occasions. What's more, in one passage of play the Elche keeper denied Berenguer and Williams before going full stretch to keep out a García header.

With Athletic going gung ho for a goal, Boye finished a counter-attack to give Elche an unexpected win. 

The match was a reflection of what has been a reality at San Mames all year: plenty of crosses and shots at goal but little end product.  

The fans were understandably disappointed. It was a pity that a well deserved farewell tribute for Mikel Balenziaga took place with the fans in such pain, although the full-back clearly moved by the touching moment.

Now there is nothing left to do but have faith in an away win against Real Madrid.