MATCH 2015 - Thursday 8 May 2025

SEASON 2024/25

Semi Final 2nd Leg

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  4  ATHLETIC CLUB  1

Scorers:  Mount(2), Casemiro, Hojlund;  Mikel Jauregizar

(Aggregate: 7-1)

Attendance: 73,298

Manchester United came from behind on the night to comfortably book their place in the final which will be played at Athletic's home ground in Bilbao.  Despite being 3 goals down from the first leg the fantastic fans from Bilbao travelled in large numbers and they got some reward with a good first half performance from their team which included the opening goal of the second leg to make it uncomfortable for the United's fans at half time.

However as soon as United levelled the match up in the second half the task was just too great for Athletic as United confidence grew they began to wilt.  4-1 flattered United as did the overall aggregate score of 7-1 however they remain unbeaten in the competition including the five home victories in the ties I have managed to attend this season.

The A fans from Bilbao:

Full support to the end

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• The 5th time I attended a Manchester United match this season all in the UFEA Europa League
• Overall the 22nd time seeing Man United in UEFA competition, including three semi final ties
• This was the first time seeing Athletic Club in UEFA competition but overall I've now seen 11 clubs from Spain competing

MATCH 1928 - Tuesday 1 August 2023

SEASON 2023/24

JAMES FORREST TESTIMONIAL

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  3  ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO  2

Scorers: Hatate, Bernabeu, Turnbull;  Unai Gomez, Muniain

A testimonial match for Celtic's James Forrest, who first appeared in the Hoops in 2010.  Very welcome opponents to Celtic Park are Athletic Club from the Basque Country.

It was an entertaning 90 minutes with Celtic coming from behind to record a good pre-season victory. As it was pre-season, returning Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers used two different teams in each half.  The first half XI lost 2-1 but the second half XI were able to turn the deficit round.

Personal note:

• 1st time seeing Athletic Club
• Forrest is the 11th Celtic player I've seen have a testimonial 
• First Celtic game of season 2023/24 ~ My 43rd season

1st August in Scotland - "weather is Dreich"