Athletic Bilbao delivered a commanding performance at the Estadio de San Mamés, overwhelming Real Valladolid with a staggering 7-1 victory on Sunday. The match, part of the 25th round of La Liga, marked another significant chapter for the Basque club, who have now gone unbeaten for 16 games since their last defeat on October 6 against Girona. This win not only solidified their position just six points off the top of the table but also sent a strong signal to upcoming opponents, especially AS Roma, whom they will face next week in the Europa League.
The game began at frenetic pace. Athletic wasted no time establishing dominance, taking the lead just ten minutes after kickoff. Jauregizar found the net from outside the box, thanks to a precise assist from Nico Williams. This first goal set the tone for the match, allowing the home side to gain confidence and push forward relentlessly.
Real Valladolid attempted to respond, with Sylla managing to score the equalizer at the 33rd minute. Yet, hopes of leveling the score were dashed as VAR ruled the goal offside. Athletic quickly capitalized on their good fortune, with Williams doubling the lead just before the half-hour mark. After weaving past the Valladolid defense with skillful touches, he neatly slotted the ball home to make it 2-0.
This momentum continued, with Sannadi scoring the third goal shortly before the break, and Sancet adding another on the stroke of halftime, marking the team’s superiority with a resounding 4-0 lead at the interval. The wave of goals enhanced the electric atmosphere within the stadium, and it was clear the visitors were struggling to cope with Bilbao’s offensive prowess.
Valladolid managed to pull one back early in the second half, with Sylla netting a goal, but their hopes were quickly extinguished when Juric received a second yellow card for dissent just 11 minutes later, leaving Valladolid down to ten men. This red card opened the floodgates, allowing Bilbao to extend their lead. Nico Williams scored his second of the match at the 66th minute, showcasing his talent with another beautiful strike, sending the fans wild.
Guruzeta and Iñaki Williams, Nico's brother and captain of the team, rounded off the scoring for Athletic, bringing the final score to 7-1. The display not only highlighted Bilbao's attacking talents but also raised questions about Valladolid’s defensive strategies. The home team's victory came as no surprise to local pundits, who dubbed it "Una lezione senza appello", emphasizing the one-sided nature of the contest.
With the win, Athletic showcased their readiness for their upcoming commitments, particularly the Europa League clash against Roma, where their focus will be on maintaining this strong form. Coach Ernesto Valverde emphasized the need to stay grounded, stating, "Athletic Bilbao non vuole fare conti con l'Europa, meglio pensare alla Liga", indicating their current priorities.
Nico Williams, 22, once again proved his value on the pitch with two goals and significant contributions to the overall play. His performance has not gone unnoticed, drawing speculation about potential moves to clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona. Though the latter may be Williams’ preferred destination to play alongside international teammate Lamine Yamal, the presence of a £49 million release clause could complicate matters should any major clubs prioritize his signature.
Athletic Club fans will undoubtedly hope their rising star continues to shine brightly as the season progresses, particularly with pivotal fixtures on the horizon. The team showed remarkable resilience and attacking flair against Valladolid, which could bode well for their ambitions both domestically and abroad. With this type of performance, they certainly appear more than capable of challenging for honors this season.