Ernesto Valverde, the manager of Athletic Bilbao, expressed his deep disappointment and profound sadness following his team's crushing 5-0 defeat to Barcelona in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia.
In the press conference that followed the match, Valverde appeared very realistic, mixed with pain, as he stressed that falling by such a wide margin leaves a difficult psychological impact, explaining that defeat in football is possible under multiple circumstances, but when it comes against an opponent of the size and strength of Barcelona, and with the team unable to keep up, the feeling is much harsher.
Recognition of technical and physical differences
Valverde said in his post-match comments: "It's very disappointing to lose by such a large margin. You can accept a loss in a balanced competition, but when the opponent is clearly stronger than you in every aspect, it's not a good feeling at all." He added, emphasizing the mental aspect: "Major matches like these require a very high level of mental and tactical focus for the full ninety minutes, and Barcelona were undoubtedly the stronger side. We have to have the courage to admit that Barcelona and Real Madrid have far greater capabilities than us, and that's the reality of Spanish football right now.".
The Spanish Super Cup in the Kingdom... a global showcase
This match is part of the sixth edition of the Spanish Super Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia. The event has gained significant global traction thanks to its impressive organization and the participation of Spain's top clubs. This tournament offers clubs an opportunity to showcase their abilities before a large audience in the Middle East, which amplifies the sting of heavy defeats for losing teams due to the extensive media and fan coverage.
Athletic Bilbao's challenges and club philosophy
Valverde's comments highlight the ongoing challenge facing Athletic Bilbao, a club with a unique philosophy comprised solely of players from the Basque Country, as they compete against world-class clubs brimming with stars and massive budgets, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. Despite Bilbao's rich history in this competition, yesterday's match demonstrated the technical gap that can emerge when the giants are at their best, as the Catalan club dominated the game and deservedly secured their place in the final.
