🙌 From rivals to friends: Athletic launch initiative ahead of BVB clash | OneFootball

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Athletic Bilbao will face Borussia Dortmund on the second matchday of the Champions League and is organizing a special fan gathering beforehand with a program that conveys various values: There will be Walking Football with captain Gurpegui on BVB’s grounds, the planting of an oak tree, and a third half focused on football camaraderie.

In Europe, everyone who knows Athletic Club is aware that its philosophy is unique. However, not everyone may realize that this approach to competition has a deeper meaning and represents a particular view of football and life. For the Bilbao family, a Champions League journey is much more than just a football match—especially when it takes place at Dortmund’s legendary Signal Iduna Park, home to the continent’s most impressive standing terrace—the Yellow Wall.

True to the club’s own philosophy, the journey itself—the way there—is just as important as the match or the destination. That’s why the red-and-white supporters try to be present the day before or very early in the morning, to enjoy the day in the city and leave their own mark: a predominantly family-oriented, respectful, and cheerful fan community, proud of its identity and eager to turn football into a celebration.

What will the #FollowSomethingUnique program look like in Dortmund?

As part of the #FollowSomethingUnique campaign, the Athletic Club Foundation has organized a Champions League pre-match program among fans to contribute to the usual good atmosphere of away trips.

To start the day off with some sport, a Walking Football match will take place in Athletic’s kit—with none other than Carlos Gurpegui as captain. The venue is Borussia Dortmund’s facilities, right next to Signal Iduna Park. Kick-off is at 10:30 a.m. (meeting already at 10 a.m. for changing and warm-up). The opponent: a team of fans from the German club.

A motto that turns rivalry into friendship

After the match and a shower, but before the third half, an oak tree will be planted together at around 12:30 p.m.—as a sign of thanks to the host city. Next to the oak, a plaque will be installed with the following inscription:

“We came as rivals, we leave as friends. Thank you, Dortmund, eskerrik asko”

An oak as a symbol of connection, as the root of a friendship that begins with the match and grows over time.

In conclusion, Athletic Club announces its intention to repeat this initiative at other interesting away matches in the Champions League.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 MIGUEL RIOPA - 2014 AFP