In 1983, Athletic won the Spanish league 27 years after their last triumph, so that autumn they re-entered the Champions' Cup for the first time in a generation. After seeing off Lech Poznan, Javier Clemente's side faced Liverpool, . A goalless draw in England appeared to bode well for the return, but Liverpool showed their strength by winning 1–0 at San Mamés through Ian Rush, the first opponent to win there since 1968 (22 matches). The "Reds" would go on to win the final in Rome.