Athletic Club’s preparations for their Champions League opener against Arsenal suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 at San Mamés by Alavés, ending what had been their best ever start to a league campaign.
Almost 50,000 turned out in Bilbao expecting a statement of intent, but instead witnessed a laboured display from the home side and a landmark victory for their Basque rivals, who had not won at the Cathedral for two decades.
The decisive moment came shortly before the hour when a cross from former Arsenal loanee, Denis Suárez, introduced at half-time along with Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé, took a wicked deflection off Álex Berenguer and deceived Unai Simón.
It was the sort of freak goal that mirrored the afternoon as a whole: Athletic’s industry rarely translated into anything tangible, while Alavés, well-organised under Eduardo Coudet, grew in belief as the contest wore on.
The result slightly soured the post-match unveiling of Aymeric Laporte, returning to Bilbao, and press reports from the region claim it has sharpened the focus ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Arsenal.
Athletic looked blunt in possession and over-reliant on their wide players for penetration, with full-back Areso and Robert Navarro offering moments of promise but little end product.
For Mikel Arteta, watching from afar, the defeat will have offered encouragement. Athletic showed an inability to break down a compact defence, a weakness Arsenal will seek to exploit.
Arsenal travel to Bilbao on a high after their victory over Nottingham Forest, while Athletic approach their European return having been unsettled in front of their own supporters.
Arsenal have been here before, facing opponents wounded in the build-up, and will know that the Champions League has a habit of making a mockery of domestic results.
For Athletic, the real test will be how quickly they can shake off a rare home disappointment and adapt to the step up in level that awaits.