Dani Carvajal targeted by Athletic Bilbao fans despite post-match embrace with Yuri Berchiche

Athletic Bilbao’s 4-0 win over Getafe was overshadowed by the hostile reception given to Dani Carvajal, with home supporters jeering the defender throughout the match before Yuri Berchiche approached him for a conciliatory embrace after the final whistle.

Carvajal, a Getafe defender and former Real Madrid player, was singled out by the Athletic Bilbao atmosphere from before kick-off. According to German newspaper Bild, supporters booed him and shouted abusive chants whenever he touched the ball, creating a tense backdrop that continued for the full 90 minutes.

The animosity dates back to 2023, when Carvajal was playing for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao. During a challenge between the two teams, he made a forceful intervention on Berchiche, who was then a defender for the Basque side.

Berchiche suffered a serious injury in the incident, sustaining a fracture to his fibula. The injury left a lasting impression on Athletic Bilbao supporters, who continued to regard Carvajal as responsible for the tackle and had not forgotten what happened despite the passage of time.

That history explained the anger directed at Carvajal during the latest meeting with Getafe. The defender’s every involvement was met with whistles and insults, turning him into the clear focus of the home crowd’s frustration even as Athletic Bilbao secured a commanding victory.

Yet the scene on the pitch after the match contrasted sharply with the mood in the stands. Berchiche went over to Carvajal and the pair spoke before embracing at the end of the game.

Their exchange suggested that the events of the past no longer prevented a personal relationship between the two players. While the Athletic Bilbao crowd retained its anger over Berchiche’s injury, the meeting between the two defenders indicated they had moved beyond the incident away from the hostility of the supporters.