Athletic chase first Bernabéu win in 21 years to end season on a high | OneFootball

Athletic end their season at the Bernabéu, chasing a first win there in 21 years. According to El Correo, neither side has anything riding on tomorrow’s finale, and some fans are already looking to Edin Terzic and better times, though a higher finish could aid future TV revenue.

The drought dates to 19 February 2005, a 0-2 win sealed by Asier del Horno and Andoni Iraola. Ernesto Valverde’s side beat Wanderley Luxemburgo’s Galácticos.

Luxemburgo rotated, leaving Raúl, Ronaldo and Zidane on the bench before Juventus in Europe. Even so, Madrid fielded Casillas, Míchel Salgado, Beckham, Guti, Solari, Figo and Owen. Del Horno struck first, Madrid pushed, and Iraola settled it.

Since then, 20 visits have yielded only three draws and 17 defeats, with 54 conceded and 14 scored. That 2005 victory remains Athletic’s only Bernabéu league win this century, the previous coming 0-1 in February 1999.

Three seasons ago the league also ended here, with Athletic still chasing Europe. Thibaut Courtois saved a Mikel Vesga penalty at 0-0, Oihan Sancet then made it 0-1 at the second attempt, before Karim Benzema equalised from the spot for 1-1 and eighth place.

Last season Madrid edged it in stoppage time through Fede Valverde after Athletic had largely contained them. Valverde rotated heavily after Europa League duty against Rangers.

Tomorrow looks a low-key clásico, but a win would at least send Athletic into the summer smiling.

Source: El Correo