🇪🇸 Athletic Club make LaLiga statement with historical Basque derby win | OneFootball

It seemed to take an age to go in.

But when Dani Vivian’s looping header from six yards out did end up in the back of the net, it was worth the wait.

The net rustled. The San Mamés exploded. Vivian leapt towards his adoring supporters as an army of red and white scarves twirled around him in unison.

Athletic Club had finally broken the deadlock in the 150th Basque derby.

Feelings of relief, anger and romance poured out into the Bilbao night – a trio of emotions only the opening goal in a derby can provoke.

For 67 minutes Athletic fans had seen this film before and they didn’t like the ending.

They had beaten Real Sociedad just twice in their last 10 meetings which included the heartbreaking Copa del Rey final defeat in April 2012.

When Iker Muniain had his first-half penalty saved, there was a case of the here we go agains around the stands.

This time it was different, though.

Oihan Sancet, Muniain and Iñaki Williams all added to Vivian’s goal in the final 23 minutes as the clash became a procession.

“It was a very complete performance,” boss Marcelino said afterwards after a historic night for his team.

Athletic hadn’t scored four goals past Sociedad since 1977 and the last time they won the derby by four or more goals was in 1959.

It’s now also just one defeat from their last six LaLiga fixtures, form which has seen them back in contention for European qualification.

For La Real, a season that started with optimism is is fading out with a whimper.

Where Athletic Club and Marcelino are wearing the scent newly-married couple filled with hope about the journey that lies ahead; Sociedad and Imanol Alguacil are sleeping in separate beds and can’t say anything right to each other any more.

They are still above their rivals despite the defeat and if they win their game in hand they would close the gap on the top four to just one point.

Alguacil’s men didn’t look capable of offering anything in Bilbao mustering up just two shots on target in the 90 minutes and looking blunt in the transition from defence to attack.

Sunday night was all about the hosts – it was their turn to have a big moment in the Basque derby.

Marcelino and his lions are purring.

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