Home SPORTS Athletic Club Ends 12-Year Wait for Champions League with Win Over Getafe

Athletic Club Ends 12-Year Wait for Champions League with Win Over Getafe

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Athletic Club secures a spot in the UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 win over Getafe. Find out what this means for the team's future.



Athletic Club secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League after defeating Getafe 2-0, with Gorka Guruzeta's strike proving decisive. The win marked a significant milestone for Ernesto Valverde's team, who had previously missed out on the UEFA Europa League final.


The victory was a welcome respite for Athletic Club, who had been disappointed in their Europa League campaign. Sunday's 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves had given them hope, and another three points against Getafe sealed their Champions League qualification. Getafe, on the other hand, extended their losing streak to six games, raising concerns about their relegation prospects.




Match Highlights:

  • Goals: Gorka Guruzeta (76') and Dani Vivian (89') scored the goals for Athletic Club.
  • Match Statistics: Athletic Club dominated possession (60%) and had more shots on target (2).
  • Getafe's Struggles: Getafe's six-game losing streak has them just five points above the relegation zone, with crucial matches against Mallorca and Celta Vigo upcoming.


Getafe dominated the early stages of the half with limited opportunities. Athletic Bilbao thought a VAR review would aid their quest, but Omar Alderete wasn't penalized for handball in the box after a lengthy analysis.


Getafe capitalized on the letdown with Mauro Arambarri having a glorious chance to score when he headed wide from Diego Rico's cross. This miss could prove crucial in the match's outcome.


Getafe's Gorka Guruzeta seized an opportunity when Coba da Costa's backpass went awry, but his shot sailed harmlessly over the target.


Mauro Arambarri, a key player for Getafe, showcased his skill with a long-range attempt that narrowly cleared the bar as halftime approached, leaving fans wondering what could have been.


After halftime, Athletic Bilbao took control, with Gorka Guruzeta missing a promising opportunity when his volley attempt from Mikel Vesga's long ball went wide.


Coach Ernesto Valverde introduced Adama Boiro and Oihan Sancet in a double substitution around the hour mark to inject fresh energy into the team. Boiro nearly made an instant impact with a skewed angled shot that went wide, while Alex Berenguer forced a save from David Soria with a precise shot to the near post.


The breakthrough came when Domingos Duarte's mistake gifted Guruzeta the ball, who then scored with a clinical left-footed finish that clipped in off the post, securing Athletic's Champions League spot.


Dani Vivian sealed the win with a late goal, prodding home from a corner in the 89th minute to add a finishing touch to Athletic Bilbao's victory.


The win marked a significant milestone for Valverde's team, ending a 12-year absence from the Champions League since the 2014/15 season and securing a top-five finish. Although not a classic performance, the victory was crucial for Athletic Bilbao, ending a five-match winless run on the road.


Getafe's season ended on a low note under Jose Bordalas, with the team slumping to a 15th-place finish. Despite earlier hopes for a European challenge, they struggled to find form, extending their losing streak to six games.





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