Driven by the eternal roar of San Mamés, Athletic Club did so epic qualification for the finals of the Champions League which will take on Atletico Madrid on Wednesday 9 May in Bucharest. It was 87 minutes, the tie was matched ( 2-1 in the first leg and 2-1 in those moments in the round) and the extension appeared. But then a hanging ball to pot fell Ibai boots, that dizzy and gave his marker to Llorente, pluperfect, to make it 3-1.
It was a huge red and white ram. He participated in almost all the attacks of Athletic and in all goals. His stellar performance was at the height of a semifinal outrageously entertaining and with a happy ending for those of Marcelo Bielsa, who streaked to a eminent level. They managed to reverse the result against and against a team like Portugal to Sporting Lisbon after the victory came to the Cathedral ready to make war and about were of fuss.
Who would say Marcelo Bielsa earlier this season, with the doubts that generated its first results , to reach the last leg with his team in two finals ( Cup and Champions League) and a way of understanding football has caught on Bilbao. That recognizable style is what has allowed unimaginable milestones as the elimination of Manchester United at Old Trafford display or a win against Schalke who also struck at home . Dreamy.
And could not the football, after a spotless record for the Old Continent, denying the Athletic play a major European final 35 years later. Lions shone in all its glory. The great performance of Llorente must add the other cracks as Muniain, Susaeta, Javi Martinez or Ibai, did not mention the presence of De Marcos penalty scoring one of the goals and giving the third and key Llorente. San Mamés mad, and rightly so, after the experience.
And things started well for the locals. From the first minute made it clear that the comeback was possible, and to fifteen minutes a good move ended with a combination Muniain Llorente center assisted with the chest to the arrival of Susaeta who, with his left foot, beat Rui Patricio. It was neither the first nor the last action that generated the Athletic danger, which was in a rush. He was tried before the draw, Ibai and Llorente, although Sa Pinto is not drowsy.
Anderson Polga, twice, got into trouble Iraizoz. It was not as participatory as the way the Spanish Capel, hero in the Jose Alvalade , and other players like Van Wolfswinkel Pereirinha or that after a rebound in a corner, could the 1-1. The best plays of the Portuguese side in the first half went to pieces and after the equalizer, it seemed that the psychological blow would affect Athletic. But far from it: the reaction came quickly.
And is that with time served in the first half, a soccer maneuver Llorente room that served to get away from Joao Pereira and serve on a platter to Ibai, completed part of his repertoire. The '28 ', meanwhile, made no mistake in the hand in hand to put the advantage on the scoreboard and equality before the break the tie. After the break, a new trade-off between two sets optimistic and willing to get the ticket to Bucharest which ended in favor of the local side.
Susaeta, Llorente's header to wood that answered with another shoe Insúa the bottom, a shot from long range Iturraspe, another header from '9 'to Rui Patricio mittens ... the extension seemed a real option, despite thrusts until both red and white ... was the horse to the water that ended up breaking. Llorente's goal was the culmination of a magical night, historically, that caused the tears of thousands of 'lions' which showed his tender side.
The occasion was worth it. San Mamés paid tribute to their idols and idols to a crowd of ten. The appointment will be on May 9, against Atletico . A date with history after a historic year that could culminarse with a double. The Champions League final will already have red and white. Two worthy representatives of our game for a competition this year has been of Champions. Have been left out both Manchester, Udinese, PSG or Porto. His successor on the throne will be one of us. Guaranteed.
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