Maradona, the Butcher and the two-year rivalry with Athletic Bilbao

It may have come as a surprise to Diego Maradona that, during his time at Barcelona, the biggest rivalry he would contend with wouldn’t be El Clásico, but rather with Athletic Bilbao.

The Basque club were entering somewhat of a Golden era at the time Maradona arrived in Catalonia, amid a period of renewed pride and interest in the Basque national identity,

It was only after the death of Franco a few years beforehand that the Basque language could be spoken and the Ikurrina (Basque flag) could be displayed without fear of arrest.

The Basques were led by Javier Clemente, a conservative authoritarian coach who placed an emphasis on physical toughness.

Clemente was a local man and a former Athletic player, leading a team that had no superstars but rather a close-knit group of local players.

Barcelona’s César Luis Menotti, by contrast, was a rebellious long-haired Argentine with a relaxed and casual personality.

César was a self-avowed Socialist and spoke openly about politics. He would often socialise with his players in bars and nightclubs, a cardinal sin in the book of Celemente.

Neither man was fond of the other and wars of words via the media were frequent.

Diego missed his first chance to face Los Leones in December 1982, as the Basque side ran out 1-0 winners at the Camp Nou thanks to a Andoni Goikoetxea header in a game the Catalans had otherwise controlled.

The following April, the sides met in Bilbao. Two late Barcelona goals, including one from Maradona, weren’t enough as Athletic won 3-2 and picked up three points on the way to becoming champions.

Barcelona finished fourth but did win the Copa Del Rey, setting up a Supercopa clash against Athletic, which would only be played well into the new season.

Barcelona won the next fixture 4-0 but it would be Maradona’s last for a number of months, thanks to a crunching tackle from Goikoetxea.

Maradona had played superbly,had set up Barcelona’s first goal and had a part to play in the second as his side led 2-0.

However midway through the second half, the ‘Butcher of Bilbao’ cut down Diego with a challenge that left the Argentine on the ground in agony.

“It’s broken, It’s broken”, Maradona screamed as Goikoetxea only received a yellow card.

Goikoetxea was extremely apologetic about the challenge, however it didn’t stop him from encasing the offending boot and putting it on display at home.

After their next home match, a midweek European game against Lech Poznan, Goikoetxea was lauded by supporters and carried off the pitch.

He later received an 18-match ban, which was subsequently reduced to nine matches. As a result, neither player featured in the two-legged Supercopa tie, which Barcelona won 3-2.

Maradona and Goikoetxea returned in time for their next clash in January 1984 at the San Mamés.

Maradona scored a brace in a game that also saw six yellow cards and more than 50 free kicks awarded for fouls.

The 2-1 win was enough to keep Barcelona in contention to win the league title, however, despite only dropping five points from the last 14 league matches, they fell short by a single point.

Athletic finished level at the top with Real Madrid but their superior head to head record gave them the league title again.

Maradona would meet Athletic one final time in the colours of the Blaugrana, a Copa del Rey final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Clemente and Athletic argued that Maradona shouldn’t have been allowed to play. His one-game ban for a red card against Espanyol a few weeks beforehand was seen as extremely lenient.

“It’s a shame that a player like him who earns so much money has no human qualities whatsoever,” said Clemente amid the war of words between himself and Diego in the lead-up to the game.

Athletic were narrow 1-0 winners in a tetchy game thanks to an early goal from Endika. At the final whistle, Diego was bleeding from a wound given to him by Goikoetxea.

Bilbao’s Miguel Sola appeared to mock the Argentine striker, causing him to lash out and headbutt the Basque player.

Players from both sides then began to brawl in what was several minutes of utter chaos. The referee had long left the pitch as a number of fans broke down barriers and joined in the fighting.

“We’ve shown two things. First that we are better than they are and secondly that Barcelona still don’t know how to lose,” remarked Clemente.

It was a sad end to two disappointing seasons for Diego and Barcelona, but for Athletic Bilbao it was a time of greatness, back-to-back league titles and a cup to boot.

After the final, Menotti walked away from Barcelona and Maradona soon followed.

That 1984 Copa del Rey remains Athletic’s last taste of major silverware, with the exception of two Supercopas, as their prominence as a top side went into decline shortly after.

Barcelona won the league the following season and have continued to be a major force in European football to this day.