Athletic Bilbao 2004-2005 Ketchup Special Edition Football Shirt [As worn by del Horno, Ezquerro & Yeste]

Description

This is the fully-customizable short-sleeve special edition “ketchup” kit for Athletic Bilbao’s 2004-2005 Season.

The 2004-2005 season marked Athletic Bilbao’s 104th year in competitive football and their 74th consecutive season in La Liga. Under manager Ernesto Valverde, who had propelled them to a strong 5th-place finish in the previous season, Bilbao entered the year with high hopes. This achievement had also secured the team a coveted spot in the Europe Cup for the first time since 1998. However, despite their ambitions, Athletic Bilbao’s season became a mixed journey of highs and setbacks.

In La Liga, Bilbao struggled to recapture the consistency of the prior year, eventually slipping to 9th place with three more losses than the previous season. While their league performance was underwhelming, their campaign in the Copa del Rey showcased greater promise. The team fought their way to the semifinals, but their cup run ended in heartbreak when they were knocked out on penalties by Real Betis, the eventual champions.

Bilbao’s Europe Cup journey added an exciting international dimension to their season. They kicked off in the first round against Trabzonspor of Turkey, where an initial 3-2 away defeat left their hopes hanging by a thread. However, the Basque team rallied in the home leg, securing a 2-0 win that propelled them into the group stage. Drawn into Group B, Bilbao faced tough competition, notably another loss on Turkish soil against Beşiktaş. Yet, the team redeemed themselves with resounding victories over Parma, Steaua București, and a standout 7-1 triumph over Standard Liège, which allowed them to progress as group winners. Their Round of 32 matchup against Austria Wien saw Bilbao holding their ground with a 0-0 away draw, but they ultimately bowed out with a narrow 2-1 defeat at home.

At the end of the season, Valverde departed his role, marking the end of his first era at Bilbao. He would later return for a second spell in 2013. Valverde’s successor, José Luis Mendilibar, faced a difficult transition and would remain at the club only until the next October. Despite a season that brought both successes and disappointments, the players’ determination across three major competitions ensured the 2004-2005 kit became a memorable one for fans.

Notable Players: Iñaki Lafuente, Javier Casas, Asier del Horno, Aitor Karanka, Felipe Guréndez, Santi Ezquerro, Francisco Yeste, Javi González, Jesús María Lacruz, Dani Aranzubia, Luis Prieto, Andoni Iraola, Pablo Orbaiz, Joseba Etxeberria, Ismael Urzaiz

Main Points

• This is a brand new jersey with its tags attached. It has never been worn, washed or used.
• The jersey is 100% polyester. It’s breathable, and made for a life on the move.
• Fully customizable with the name and number of your favourite player or even yours! Just choose the Custom Jersey Option and then message us your desired name and number or write them in the order’s notes at checkout.
• Replica Version. This jersey is a remake of the official one, made with the exact same materials, look, and feel.
• Tighter fit: make sure you choose the right sizing. We recommend buying one size bigger than you usually wear. This will ensure the jersey will fit.

Sizing Guidelines

This jersey comes in five sizes, which come with a tiny difference: they fit smaller than usual. Our suggestion is to pick your size 1 size bigger than you usually would. If you usually wear an M, pick an L. If you usually wear an S, pick an M.