Athletic Club Bilbao need a miracle on Thursday when they take on Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals, and that’s got journalist Borja Conde seeking inspiration.
He reveals his outlook ahead of the game to Radio Nervión today, revealing he’s turned to Winston Churchill to get the motivation he needs.
Athletic Bilbao travel to Old Trafford on Thursday to take on Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final after the 3-0 defeat to Ruben Amorim’s side at San Mames last week.
Few have given them hope of progressing to the final, which will be held in their own stadium, following the shock result last week.
Conde was one of those at that game, and admits he ended up leaving devastated for his side, needing time to believe in a potential comeback.
“I came out devastated, devastated on Thursday at San Mamés, devastated… but I said: give me two days and I’ll come around and believe,” he said on the Tele Bilbao programme Bilbo sport.
That, say Radio Nervión, is reflection of the Athletic fanbase in general, which is currently ‘shaken but not defeated’ at their big night turned into a major disaster.
They’re seeking inspiration wherever they can get it and for Conde, that means a look back in history and Winston Churchill in particular.
“This is a good time to paraphrase Winston Churchill’s speech after the Battle of Dunkirk, which said something like: We will fight on the beaches.
“And we will fight on the pitch, we will fight in the stands, we will fight in front of the television, we will fight from a distance. We will win or lose, but we will never give up. I believe this is Athletic.”
Whether that’s enough to see them past Manchester United, remains to be seen, but it seems Amorim, and his side may want to prepare themselves for battle just in case.
