Lions never walk alone. Neither in the League or the Cup, nor in the Europa League. And even less so now that the people from Bilbao had not attended the European concert for more than six seasons.
Rome was also red and white for a day. Around 3,000 Athletic fans came to the Italian capital to attend live the reunion of Valverde’s team with the Europa League. The lions’ followers demonstrated throughout the day that they know how to be there and encourage their lions. The anthem of this tournament was barely heard before the clamor of the Bilbao fans.
Everything went wrong, curiously, as soon as Paredes scored the tying goal. From the Athletic fans’ section where the Herri Norte banner could be read, flares were fired in the direction of stands occupied by Roma fans. Valverde’s gesture when attending this violent act was extremely significant. His arm movements, too.
De Marcos also joined Athletic’s general protest at the end of the match. The club itself issued a statement regretting the events that occurred. Hau ez da gure stylea! (This is not our style). The club’s officials also made clear their zero tolerance for situations such as the one that occurred at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Righteous for sinners
These incidents will go around the world throughout the day today and there will be people who confuse the part with the whole. What we experienced yesterday in Rome was one more lesson in the know-how of being and traveling of practically all Athletic fans, but today we will only talk about what is equipped by a few.
The red and white team, in short, returns to Europe. Even though good vibes prevailed above all with the Romans yesterday, those who like to put on the circus have gotten their way again.
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