Athletic Bilbao 0
Man Utd 3
I think not one single United supporter would have predicted a 3-0 win in Spain against a side known to defend well and being compact – not with our known difficulties and struggles to break down organised defenses.
A 3-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final at San Mamés is a dream, and dare I say – one foot in the final unless we produce a cataclysmic display of Hara-kiri on Thursday at OT!
Athletic started brightly, with Williams and Berenguer both going close, but United seemed dangerous going forward and Garnacho had a goal chalked off by VAR early on for offside. In the 30th minute, Maguire surged down the right like a right winger (yes that happened!) and delivered a cross that Ugarte flicked on for Casemiro to head in at the back post, breaking the deadlock.
Five minutes later, with Bilbao still shell-shocked – the turning point. Bilbao defender Vivian was sent off for bringing down Højlund in the box. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, and Bruno converted coolly to double our lead. I was not watching the penalty, as usual, but the roar from the crowd at our Supporters’ club told me that we were 2-0 up and Bilbao had a player less for the remaining minutes of the match. Now I am not really up to date with the changes in the rules of the game these days – but being objective I do think that it was a pen – but the sending off was harsh. But you take it when you get the rub of the green and Bruno struck again just before halftime, curling home after a clever Ugarte flick to make it 3-0. Sheer ecstasy!
Bilbao struggled to respond after the break and we nearly added a fourth when Casemiro hit the post. I think we managed the second half well and although some supporters may have wanted us to push for more goals, an away 3-0 win in Spain in a semi final is a fantastic result. Football can produce surprising results and there have been colossal comebacks in Europe before, so we should keep our feet firmly on the ground and prepare for Thursday’s night return leg at OT with full focus and the concentration required to see these 90 minutes through. A Europa League final looms large and I have this gut feeling inside me since those magical 7 minutes vs Lyon. Plus there is another secret weapon…a lucky charm…Numquam Moribimur!
