ATHLETIC CLUB's alarming slide towards the relegation zone has prompted a stark warning from goalkeeper Unai Simón, who after the painful 1-0 defeat to Espanyol admitted that "if we don’t pick up points, relegation is right there." The defeat in Barcelona left the Basque side looking over their shoulders, with just two matches remaining and safety far from guaranteed.
The loss was particularly galling as it came against an Espanyol side that had not won a La Liga match in 142 days. Athletic, who had hoped to exploit a cheap route into Europe via the Conference League, instead delivered a disjointed performance that has plunged the dressing room into crisis.
Simón did not mince his words. "We had the chance to latch onto the Conference League places, which were going cheap, but we haven’t been capable of reaching them," he lamented. The Spain international then turned his focus to the immediate threat: "We have to be strong and show more intensity on Sunday against Celta, with our fans behind us." His call for urgency underlines the gravity of Athletic’s predicament.
Manager Ernesto Valverde echoed the goalkeeper’s concerns, revealing that the "level of worry is extremely high" and stressing the need to "get a point now." Valverde, known as Txingurri, admitted that he has been warning about the team’s limitations all season. "I’ve said it from the start and got criticised for it. I don’t know about football, I only have experience. I would like to be wrong and have a team capable of fighting for the title," he said in his post-match press conference.
The injury list compounds Athletic’s problems. Creative midfielder Nico Williams and playmaker Oihan Sancet are both ruled out of the Celta clash. Centre-back Dani Vivian is a major doubt after sustaining an ankle sprain in the first half against Espanyol, while left-back Yuri Berchiche missed the trip to Barcelona with a knock and faces a race to be fit. Losing four key players at such a critical juncture severely weakens Athletic on both ends of the pitch.
Sunday’s home fixture against Celta Vigo has now become a virtual final. Athletic will then close their league campaign with a re-arranged trip to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid, a daunting prospect given their current form. Six points are still on offer, but Simón’s message is clear: the team cannot wait until the final day; they must collect points immediately to avoid a nerve-shredding finale.
The Conference League that Simón referenced was indeed a realistic target only weeks ago. Multiple mid-table rivals also stumbled, meaning the points needed for seventh place stayed unusually low. Athletic’s failure to capitalise reflects a season of inconsistency that has seen them win just once in their last eight outings. Valverde’s pre-season warnings, dismissed by some as overly cautious, now seem prophetic.
The emotional toll is visible. Simón was seen consoling teammate Aitor Rego after the Espanyol defeat, a gesture that captured the despair in the camp. With the San Mamés crowd eagerly awaiting a response, the players must harness the energy of the home support. The Basque club’s proud history and passionate following make the prospect of a relegation battle all the more unthinkable.
Tactically, Valverde must find solutions to a blunt attack that managed only two shots on target in Barcelona, and a defence that has conceded in 12 of its last 14 matches. The potential absence of Vivian and Yuri could force a reshuffle, placing extra responsibility on Simón to marshal the backline. The goalkeeper’s leadership will be pivotal in the tense atmosphere.
Beyond the immediate results, Athletic’s season risks unravelling in a way that could have long-term consequences. A failure to secure European qualification would represent a step backward for a club that prides itself on developing local talent and competing in continental competitions. The financial hit, while cushioned by the club’s strong institutional structure, would still curb ambitions in the transfer market.
As the players return to training at Lezama, the focus is squarely on Celta. Simón’s rallying cry is not merely about survival; it is about restoring pride and meeting the minimum expectations of a fanbase that has grown accustomed to top-half finishes. The next 90 minutes may well define the entire campaign.
Based on reporting from Marca.
