Athletic Club - BATE Borisov

Goodbye Champions, Hello Europa League

Athletic Club has defeated BATE Borisov by 2-0. San José and Susaeta, both in the second half, were the authors of the goals.

Thanks to this victory, perhaps somewhat less than deserved, Athletic Club finishes third in the Groups Phase and, therefore, it will be in Monday’s draw (15 December) of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32; a qualifier that is to be disputed in 2015 and in which it leads the series and will play the second leg in San Mamés.

And so ends the run in the UCL, settled with 7 points, one more than those harvested in the 1998-99 season. Baggage that surpasses that of well-known teams such as Ajax, Roma, Liverpool, Anderlecht and Galatasaray and equalizing those of, for example, Zenit and Sporting Portugal.

On the negative side is Andoni Iraola’s injury, which was applauded by the crowd in San Mamés as he withdrew.

After the victory, we travel to Donosti on Sunday, where the Liga awaits us, and in it a not-so-simple match.