Athletic Club narrowly escapes potential humiliation as they defeat UD Logroñés on penalties to secure advancement to the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
Despite being one of the giants of Spanish football, Athletic Club faced significant challenges against UD Logroñés, a team from the lower Segunda Federación, during their Copa del Rey Round of 16 match at Las Gaunas. The match marked another intense chapter for the Basques, who are noted for their rich history and tenacity—this time, they had to depend on the unpredictable and thrilling route of penalties to avoid elimination.
The match showcased the historic prowess of Athletic Club, which boasts exceptional records in single-elimination competition. On the cusp of early exit, Valverde’s men battled long and hard, yet could not find the clear finishing touch during regular time or even extra time.
Conditions were far from favorable, with many players on both teams needing extra focus as the playing surface resembled more of a mud pit than a soccer pitch. The typically vibrant style of Athletic was stifled, leading to frustration for both players and fans alike. Even with high profile players like the Williams brothers and Guruzeta on the pitch, the Athletic struggled to create substantial opportunities throughout the match.
After several well-placed chances resulted only in missed targets, the first half ended without goals. Athletic was aware of the need for urgency but failed to translate their technical superiority onto the scoreboard. Coach Ernesto Valverde expressed disbelief as he watched his side control possession yet struggle against Logroñés’ resilient defense.
The intensity grew as Logroñés held firmly to their game plan, pressing Athletic and aiming to capitalize on any missed opportunities. Tensions mounted, and with no goals scored at the end of 90 minutes, the competition moved to extra time, maintaining the audience's collective anticipation.
Athletic seized some promising chances during the extra period, including close-range shots and headers, but the Logroñés goalkeeper, Kike Royo, showcased impressive resilience, denying several attempts on goal. Perhaps the clearest chance was when Nico Williams saw his effort saved, provoking roars from the local supporters who were ignited by the thrilling atmosphere.
With time ticking down and the stakes painfully high, the match was finally resolved by penalties. It was here, amid the pressure, where Athletic would come to rely on their previous success—but the results were mixed. Agirrezabala stepped up, executing remarkable saves against the Logroñés shooters, allowing Athletic to have the upper hand.
Despite managing to keep their composure under fire, only Nico Williams failed to convert his spot kick. The sequential missing penalties from Logroñés added to their defeat. With this thrilling match drawing to a close, Athletic secured their place with the final score being decided at 4-3 on penalties.
This dramatic win was not without its costs, as the challenge against Logroñés raised questions about Athletic's finishing and overall performance. Valverde noted their finishing needed to significantly improve if they aimed to maintain ambition going forward. Nonetheless, they live to fight another day, with fans fervently supporting their resurgence as they strive to defend their Copa del Rey title.
The Copa del Rey remains unpredictable, and matches like this remind us of its capacity to deliver thrilling drama—whether through miraculous triumphs or near-disasters. Athletic Club’s testing victory serves to entrench their status as formidable contenders, poised to handle whatever awaits as they look forward to the next stage of this cherished tournament.