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 2008 - Thursday 13 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

Last 16, Second Leg

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

Attendance: 73,189

MANCHESTER UNITED  4  REAL SOCIEDAD  1

Scorers:  Fernandes(3), Dalot;  Oyarzael

The tie was nicely poised at 1-1 from the first leg and with each side being awarded a penalty in the opening 15 (both converted) it was still in the balance going into the second half. I'm sure the club from the Basque Country will point to the referee as the one who tipped the tie in United's favour by first awarding a debatable penalty and then reducing them to ten men following a last man challenge.  Anyway the second half became the Bruno Fernandes show, as he converted his second penalty and then completed his hattrick with a well taken third.

The Bruno Show:

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 20th time I've seen United in UEFA competition including 5 against Spanish opposition
• First time seeing Real Sociedad in Europe since 1982 when they were champions of Spain and played Celtic.
• Overall 3rd time seeing Real Sociedad including a friendly at New St Mirren Park

I meet some Real Sociedad fans on the Metro to and from the game, they were all very friendly and a credit to themselves and their club.

MATCH 1938 - Wednesday 25 October 2023

 SEASON 2023/24

Group Stage

CELTIC  2  ATLETICO MADRID  2

Scorers: Kyogo; Palma;  Griezmann, Morata

A terrific first half performance from Celtic saw them score two excellent goals to take a deserved 2-1 lead at the break.  In second half Celtic were unable to maintain the same levels and Atletico made a few tactical adjustments and were able to find an equaliser to take a point from th match.

Personal note:

• 4th time seeing Atletico - record 3 wins and a draw
• My 16th time seeing Celtic take on a Spanish side in European competition
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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"

 

MATCH 1915 - Thursday 13 April 2023

 SEASON: 2022/23

Quarter Final First Leg

Venue: OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  2  SEVILLA  2

Scorers:  Sabitzer(2); Own goals(2)

11 am bus from Glasgow and arrived in Manchester for 4pm.  Walked to the ground from city centre, about a 2.5 miles.  Got an old favourite for dinner - a meat & potato pie (£4.20) in the ground.

The game was a good Euro tie with Man United not taking full advantage when they were well on top.  This allowed Sevilla to grow into the game and indeed the tie.  In the first half United went two up but despite a number of good chances, a third home goal didn't materialise.

In the final stages of the game Sevilla got a break, an own goal after some slack defending.   

This was the boost of confidence they needed and they took full advantage of United's injury problems losing both of the centre halves and ending with only nine outfield players, to equalise in time added on.

Personal note:

• 55th Old Trafford match
• 3rd time seeing Sevilla (Celtic Friendly and Espanyol in UEF 2007 at Hampden)
• 17th United game in Europe

MATCH 1887 - Tuesday 6 September 2022

 

Group Stage

CELTIC  0  REAL MADRID  3

Scorers:  Vinicius Jr, Modric, Hazard

14 times European Champions, Real Madrid visit Celtic Park for the first time in the Champions League era.  Despite a fine Celtic performance for the first 50 minutes they are unable to take one of their chances and Real calmly take the lead through their Brazilian star Vinicius Jr early in the second half.  Modric quickly adds a second to take full control of the match.

The match is played in a tremendous atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes. Several Real players recording their admiration in their post-match tweets.  

Managers: Ange Postecoglou and Carlo Ancelotti with another Celtic Park visit.

A few pre-match photos:

Personal note:

• 2nd time seeing Real Madrid
• Real Madrid are the 8th Spainish club I've seen Celtic play in European competitions.
• My 2nd UEFA match of the season and 187th overall

MATCH 1871 - Tuesday 15 March 2022

SEASON 2021/22

Round of 16, 2nd Leg

Venue: OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  0  ATLETICO MADRID  1

Scorer: Lodi dos Santos

Atletico score a few minutes before half time to book their place in the quarter final. It is a weak performance from United at home in a Champions League tie as they struggle to carve out decent chances.  

Current managers are Ralf Rangnick, interim and long time Atletico manager, Diego Simeone.

This is my first visit to Old Trafford in nearly 5 years making it 53 matches.

My 72nd Manchester United match.

3rd occasion seeing Atletico.

Pre-match Spanish gathering

Arrived!

Great setting - the Theatre of Dreams but more of a nightmare at the moment

Happy Spaniards