Athletic Club - RC Celta
Matchday 37
Liga

Athletic Club - RC Celta

Athletic Club
Athletic Club
31
RC Celta
RC Celta
  • 16' Raúl García (p.)
  • 17' Raúl García
  • 40' Williams
  • Iago Aspas (p.) 89'

LocationSan Mamés , Bilbao

42.494 assistants

At a point from Europe and emotional farewells

Athletic Club defeated Real Club Celta 3-1 at San Mamés. Raúl García (2, one from…

undefined

Athletic Club defeated Real Club Celta 3-1 at San Mamés. Raúl García (2, one from the penalty spot) and Iñaki Williams were the scorers. Aspas (from eleven yards) scored the Galician goal.

An excellent farewell to the league for Athletic Club at San Mamés, not only for not having lost in all of 2019 at home, but above all for having more than deservedly earned three points and, in the process, reaching the final matchday with mathematical continental qualification just one point away.

It was also an emotional farewell for three players of the stature of Susaeta, Iturraspe and Mikel Rico, who received the warmth of La Catedral live and direct. This was also the case for the Celtic FC delegation, who were treated at half-time when they collected the OCM awarded to the legendary Billy McNeil.

Both sides had a lot at stake, but Athletic came out better and, moreover, were more accurate. Just past the quarter-hour mark, Raúl García converted a penalty and, almost immediately afterwards, he scored after a fine exchange between Williams and Muniain.

To round off the task, just before the break, Iñaki Williams’ pressure on the rival goalkeeper paid off and the 3-0 scoreline was all but sealed.

And so it was. Athletic controlled the tempo of the game to perfection in the second period, although the gap could have been wider had Williams’ goal not been disallowed for a very close challenge on Capa. It was less, however, as a ball into the hand of Aduriz and the resulting penalty gave way to a 3-1 lead, Aspas scoring just before the end.

There is only one game left in LaLiga and our team’s work is already remarkable, whatever happens. A win in Seville would give us a direct ticket to the UEL Group Stage, a draw would take us to the same competition, but with extra play-offs, and even defeat could be enough to finish seventh, although we’d better think big.

Either way, whether or not European qualification is achieved, the team has been able to reverse the bad start to the season and today proved that they are still hungry.