Athletic Club - RC Celta

It was a dignified farewell at San Mamés. An emotional occasion like few others for Ernesto Valverde, the manager with the most match in Athletic’s history, joined by a true club legend in Iñigo Lekue, who, with the team mind, as always, was not able to bid farewell on the pitch

The Lions drew 1-1 with RC Celta and missed out on Europe in a match they deserved to win. Athletic struggled to find a winner whilst a mistake made matters more difficult. Ernesto's brave Athletic side of old was on show in a great second half, but the result didn’t come.

The opening tributes provided a real boost, with the players and coaches who have accompanied the gaffer throughout his three spells as head coach forming a guard of honour before he received a gift from Jose Angel Iribar.

The San Mames faithful was immense. You could feel the affection and the desire to help.

However, as a sign of just how difficult this season has been, an early mistake following a turnover led to Williot Swedberg's opener. It came in the fourth minute and it was a hammer blow.

In the first half, only Unai Gómez, with three attempts, came close to scoring, one of which was saved well by Ionut Radu. Mikel Jauregizar also tested the Vigo goalkeeper before half-time.

Athletic were a different side in the second half, dominating the game. Iñaki Williams made it 1-1 in the 51st minute after finishing off a fine move between Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Yuri Berchiche. And straight after, the full-back set up another golden opportunity for the captain, who sent the ball over the bar.

The Lions kept pushing and had another chance through Williams, which Radu managed to save.

Even at the end, Alejandro Rego had a chance to score the winner. It wasn’t to be, and the fans were appreciated the effort. San Mamés bids farewell to two Copa winners, a legendary manager and a player of tremendous character.