The famous Athletic Club returns to the Champions League
The Lions beat Getafe 0-2 to secure their return to the Champions League, once again under Valverde, after an 11-year absence
The famous Athletic Club are back in the Champions League. With La Gabarra still sparkling from the last season's Copa triumph, Ernesto Valverde's side secured a return to the top continental competition with a textbook 0-2 win at Getafe.
Gorka Guruzeta and Dani Vivian applied the finishing touches to magnificent team effort, built on an impeccable defensive display against relegation-threatened opponents.
The Lions were overjoyed at full-time, wildly celebrating their achievement, which comes on top of reaching the Europa League semi-finals in what has become a memorable season.
The goal is now to hold on to fourth place. With two games left, we already hold a three-point advantage plus the head-to-head tiebreaker against Villarreal CF. There is a lot of prize money to be won.
Athletic really pulled up their sleeves tonight. They felt hard done by early on when an Omar Alderete handball in the box was overlooked by VAR.
Getafe rarely threatened, as the game progressed, the Zurigorri's began to take control of the game. Guruzeta almost volleyed home after a great pass from Mikel Vesga and the introduction of Oihan Sancet and an active Adama Boiro energised the game. The latter almost set up Alex Berenguer to score the first goal.
Guruzeta eventually made it 0-1 with a well-placed left-footed shot in the 75th minute. Vivian got our second when he latched on to a loose ball from a corner just before full-time.
The best defensive team in the league, which has now wracked up four clean sheets in a row, continues to grow under Valverde.
