BILBAO, Spain: Athletic Bilbao powered to a convincing 2-0 victory over a flat Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga to close the gap on the top four.
Ernesto Valverde’s side, fifth, moved within two points of champions Barcelona, fourth, who visit Valencia later on, and third-place Atletico.
Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams struck second-half goals to deservedly secure the points for the intense Basques who dominated at a jubilant San Mames.
Atletico have lost four games in La Liga this season, each away from home, while winning all eight matches they have played at their Metropolitano stadium.
“I think we played badly,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar.
“We cannot play like this, one way at home, another away, you can’t win titles like this, you can’t win leagues... Bilbao were a lot better than us.”
Athletic drove Diego Simeone’s visitors back in the first half, testing Oblak on multiple occasions.
The Slovenian made a superb save low at his near post to deny Guruzeta early on, and another to block Nico Williams’ effort after he broke through on the left.
Oblak was saved by the frame of his goal on two occasions, with both brothers Inaki and Nico Williams striking the woodwork.
Athletic’s best chance of the first half came from the penalty spot but Oihan Sancet smashed high and wide after Caglar Soyuncu felled Nico Williams.
Athletic got the breakthrough they deserved quickly at the start of the second half, with Ander Herrera crossing to the back post, where Guruzeta was unmarked to finish with ease.
Inaki Williams, making his 400th appearance for Athletic, was instrumental in the build-up and continued his own fine form, even though he did not find the net.
Nico Williams added a stunning second when he made space on the right side of the area and bent a shot over Oblak into the far top corner with his weaker left foot.
Athletic’s second goal spurred Atletico into life, with Samuel Lino and Marcos Llorente threatening, but they could not pull the visitors back into the match.
Despite defeat and his team’s drab display, Atletico coach Simeone maintained a positive attitude.
“They were better from start to end, in the last 15 minutes we tried to fight,” Simeone told reporters.
“Today is the day I am calmest ... I know the boys are giving me (everything) and I am with them to the death.”
“The fans are giving me everything and I want to keep giving them joy,” Nico Williams told Movistar.
“We’re an ambitious team, we have to keep working and this is the way... we’ve taken a step forward from last season and should make our stadium a fortress.”
Victory was the perfect way for Athletic to round off their 125th anniversary celebrations.
Basque golfer Jon Rahm took a ceremonial kick-off before the game and showed fans his green jacket, which he won at the 2023 Augusta Masters, while a statue to club legend Jose Angel Iribar was unveiled outside the ground.
Xavi Hernandez’s struggling Barcelona could overtake Atletico if they do not lose against Valencia at the Mestalla.
Leaders Girona host Alaves on Monday, while second-place Real Madrid welcome Villarreal on Sunday.
Sevilla fell to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat by Getafe, piling more pressure on coach Diego Alonso.
Borja Mayoral and Mason Greenwood converted penalties for Jose Bordalas’ team, either side of Jaime Mata’s strike.
The struggling Andalusians have not won in 10 league matches and are 16th, level on 13 points with Celta Vigo and Cadiz below them.
After confirming a bottom-place finish in their Champions League group earlier this week, Spanish media this week reported Alonso could be fired if he failed to inspire Sevilla to a victory over Getafe.
Rafa Benitez’s Celta earned a tight 1-0 win over Granada, 19th, to move provisionally out of the relegation zone.
Athletic Bilbao earn impressive win over Atletico
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Athletic Bilbao earn impressive win over Atletico
- Ernesto Valverde’s side, fifth, moved within two points of champions Barcelona, fourth, who visit Valencia later on, and third-place Atletico
- “I think we played badly,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar
Spurs edge Man Utd to win Europa League and end trophy drought
BILBAO: Brennan Johnson’s scrambled goal ended a 17-year Tottenham trophy drought with a battling 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Spurs, who had not won European silverware since 1984, will play in next season’s Champions League, while failing to qualify for it is a severe financial set-back for Manchester United.
Despite their triumph in Bilbao, manager Ange Postecoglou’s future is still on the line following a shambolic domestic campaign, with Spurs sitting a place below United in the lower reaches of the Premier League table.
The Australian furiously insisted he was “not a clown” on the eve of the final and had the last laugh on a nerve-racking night at the San Mames, as he made good on his claim to always win a trophy in his second season in charge of a club.
“This is what it’s all about, this club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years, honestly, this is what it means, it means so much,” Wales winger Johnson told TNT Sports.
“Ever since I came here it’s been (people saying) ‘Tottenham are a good team, but they never get it done’ — we got it done!“
Fans came from far and wide to pack Athletic Bilbao’s stadium, some taking quite preposterous routes and sleeping in cars to avoid eye-watering prices, but they could not escape a final lacking in quality.
It was a match between teams languishing in 16th and 17th place respectively after dismal Premier League campaigns and that was the essence of it too, played at high intensity but with low confidence, and a prize on the line so big it overawed.
There were a large number of turnovers, neither side keeping the ball with any ease, moves ending in panicked defending and balls being thumped to safety, or a litany of clumsy fouls.
Harry Maguire blocked well from Tottenham’s Pape Sarr early on after Johnson nipped in ahead of Luke Shaw to break in down the right.
Manchester United fans chanted Ruben Amorim’s name, backing their Portuguese coach despite the club’s worst Premier League season in half a century.
At the other end, 22-year-old United winger Amad Diallo, one of the few players high on self-belief, flashed a shot across goal and then left Destiny Udogie spinning, trying in vain to find him as he dribbled past.
Spurs made the breakthrough after 42 minutes and, perhaps fittingly, it came in the form of an extremely scrappy goal.
Tottenham midfielder Sarr, who had completed just a single pass to this point, curled in a cross to the near post for Johnson.
The winger’s attempted flick bounced off Shaw’s shoulder, brushed Johnson’s boot again and crossed the goal-line in slow motion with Andre Onana unable to claw it out with a desperate arm.
Spurs sat back in the second half, trying to protect their slender advantage and look for opportunities to strike again on the counter-attack.
They nearly found one when Yves Bissouma played in Dominic Solanke, but the striker could not control the pass and the chance went to waste.
Manchester United almost equalized when Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario came off his line but failed to claim a set-piece pounded forward from deep.
The ball dropped for Rasmus Hojlund but his header over the stranded Spurs stopper was sensationally cleared in acrobatic fashion by Micky van de Ven.
Spurs sent on captain Son Heung-min for the ragged Richarlison, with the South Korean international a surprising non-starter.
Manchester United turned to Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee to try and dig them out of their hole, but fell to a fourth defeat against Spurs this season.
Shaw had a chance to redeem himself at the end for his part in Johnson’s goal but his header was pushed to safety by Vicario.
Amorim said winning the trophy would not solve United’s many deep-lying problems but could set the club up well for the future, however United leave Bilbao without even that.
For the first time since the 2014-15 season they will not play European football next term.
Liverpool to unveil new Heysel memorial marking 40th anniversary of disaster
- "Titled 'Forever Bound', the new memorial will replace the existing plaque
- The memorial will be unveiled later in the English summer
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will unveil a new memorial at Anfield to mark the 40th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster where 39 supporters were killed, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
The fans, mainly Italian Juventus supporters, were killed when a wall collapsed after Liverpool fans charged them before the European Cup final in Brussels in 1985.
More than 600 were also injured in one of the worst disasters in soccer stadiums, leading to a five-year ban for English clubs from European competition.
"Titled 'Forever Bound', the new memorial will replace the existing plaque currently situated on the wall of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and will move to a new location at the stadium," Liverpool said in a statement.
"The newly designed memorial will feature two scarves knotted together and gently tied - symbolising the unity and solidarity between the two clubs and the bond formed through shared grief and mutual respect in the aftermath of the disaster."
Liverpool said the plans for the new memorial were shared with Juventus and the families who lost loved ones.
The memorial will be unveiled later in the English summer. Juventus are unveiling their own near their Allianz Stadium on May 29, the anniversary of the disaster.
"To see a new memorial created with such care means a lot and it's incredibly important to have a fitting tribute to remember the 39 fans who lost their lives," the Liverpool statement cited Ian Rush, who played for both clubs and also witnessed the tragedy in 1985, as saying.
"We must never forget why this matters and why we continue to stand together in solidarity, all these years later."
Manchester City’s Guardiola demands slimmer squad for next season
- City have 28 players in the first team, not counting four who are out on loan, and have one of the most valuable squads in the world
- Guardiola, who extended his contract with City until 2027 in November, will lead the club as they defend their Club World Cup title next month
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told the club he wants to work with a tighter squad next season as it troubles his “soul” to leave so many players in the stands when everyone is fit.
Regular internationals Savinho, Abdukodir Khusanov and Claudio Echeverri were all unable to find a place in the squad on Tuesday as City beat Bournemouth 3-1. England’s James McAtee and Rico Lewis also missed out.
City have 28 players in the first team, not counting four who are out on loan, and have one of the most valuable squads in the world with some media reports valuing it at over 1.3 billion euros ($1.47 billion).
“I said to the club ... I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer,” Guardiola told reporters after City moved up to third with one match left in the campaign.
“I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”
Despite their huge squad City faced an injury crisis late last year, with the side going on a five-match losing streak in all competitions between October-November.
They brought in Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez at a cost of more than $224 million in the January transfer window to help address the problem.
But with defenders John Stones and Nathan Ake the only two players currently out with injury, Guardiola said it was “impossible” for his “soul” to keep telling so many players they would be watching the match from the stands.
“It is a question for the club. I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players (from) the academy and we do it,” the manager added.
Guardiola, who extended his contract with City until 2027 in November, will lead the club as they defend their Club World Cup title next month.
Omar Marmoush scores stunning goal as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to Man City
- The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left Champions League qualification in their own hands
- De Bruyne was fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd after the match and watched a video montage of tributes from club greats on the stadium’s big screen
MANCHESTER, England: Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike upstaged Kevin De Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell.
Marmoush let fly from around 30 yards (meters) to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left Champions League qualification in their own hands heading into the last round of the season.
“It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened (this season) will be really nice,” the City manager said.
De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before leaving the club as a free agent at the end of the season.
After a trophy-laden 10 years, the Belgium international was greeted with a huge banner declaring him “King Kev” and given a standing ovation when he was substituted off in the second half.
But it was Marmoush’s goal after 14 minutes that lit up the match as his dipping shot clipped the post before crashing into the top corner.
It was the type of goal that De Bruyne would have been proud of in a career that has seen him score numerous spectacular strikes of his own.
De Bruyne missed a glorious chance to cap his farewell with a goal when missing an open net from close range — shooting against the bar.
“Terrible, terrible,” De Bruyne said of his miss. “There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.”
Bernardo Silva doubled City’s lead in the 38th and substitute Nico Gonzalez added a third in the 89th. Deniel Jebbison pulled one back for Bournemouth in added time in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
The win saw City bounce back from its FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday. It also means City needs a point in its final game against Fulham on Sunday to all but guarantee Champions League soccer next season, given its superior goal difference to top-five rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa.
After ending the season trophyless for the first time in eight years, City can at least secure the consolation of a place in European club soccer’s top competition.
The loss, however, ended Bournemouth’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.
De Bruyne tribute
De Bruyne was fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd after the match and watched a video montage of tributes from club greats on the stadium’s big screen.
He was given a guard of honor by his teammates as he walked to the middle of the field with his wife and three children.
City said it would erect a statue in his honor outside the stadium.
“It means I will always be part of this club,” De Bruyne said. “Whenever I come back with family and friends, I will be able to see myself so I will always be here.”
City also unveiled a mosaic of De Bruyne at the club’s academy and named a road on its campus after him.
The 33-year-old De Bruyne was part of a period of unprecedented success for City, which saw it win 16 major trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He waved to the crowd and City fans serenaded him as he left the field in the second half before embracing Guardiola on the touchline.
“There are players that are unique,” Guardiola said. “In 10 years there are a lot of games, a lot of titles, a lot of moments. Today summarized how much love was there (for him).”
He is the latest City great to have a mural made in his honor, joining Yaya Toure, Joe Hart, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan.
Rodri returns
Rodri returned to action eight months after having surgery on an ACL injury that ruled him out for the majority of the season.
The Ballon d’Or winner came on as a second-half substitute to make his first appearance since being injured against Arsenal on Sept. 22.
His return means he is likely to be available for the Club World Cup in the United States in June and July.
Palace party
There was no hangover for Crystal Palace after Saturday’s FA Cup victory over City.
Eddie Nketiah scored twice in a 4-2 win against Wolves.
Just days after Palace’s win at Wembley secured their first major trophy, the team kept the party going in front of its home fans at Selhurst Park.
Wolves went ahead through Emmanuel Agbadou, but two goals from Nketiah in the space of five minutes in the first half put the home side in front.
Eberechi Eze — who scored the winning goal in the final — was on target again late on.
Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return
- All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes
- Amorim said: “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game”
BILBAO, Spain: Manchester United will have a trio of players back from injury for the Europa League final against Tottenham, coach Ruben Amorim said Tuesday, with Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee all available to come off the bench.
All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes if needed.
“Very good for us,” Amorim said. “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game.”
Matthijs de Ligt will not be available but traveled to Bilbao to support his teammates. Lisandro Martinez is the only other first-team player not available as he remains out with a serious knee injury.
The return of Zirkzee was the biggest surprise as he had initially been ruled out for the season because of a hamstring injury he picked up in April.
“Me neither,” Amorim said when told nobody expected the forward’s return. “They recover quite well. They push, of course, and we have to respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit, as they wanted to be part of the team. That is a very good sign.”
Dalot was nursing a calf injury since April, and Yoro had been out since earlier this month.
United have had a dismal season but are hoping to finish it with a European title. The club are in 16th place in the league standings after 18 defeats, their most in a single campaign since the Premier League began in 1992. They are also certain to register their worst-ever points total in that era, as well as their lowest finish.
Tottenham injuries
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou said midfielder Lucas Bergvall has not recovered from an ankle injury in time for the final. He was with the squad in Bilbao but won’t play.
Midfielder Pape Sarr will be available despite not finishing the league match against Aston Villa on Friday because of a back issue.
Tottenham are in 17th place in the Premier League, having lost 21 times — also a club record in the modern era. The Champions League runner-up in 2019, Tottenham are seeking their first trophy since the 2008 English League Cup.
