A tough January slope awaits Athletic. It is worth it that it could be steeper depending on what happens in the respective Cup qualifiers. Eldense. From what happened that night, in the clash scheduled for 9:00 pm, the lions could have up to two more cup qualifiers left.
In what amounts to a league trip, the Bilbao team begins the year with a match in San Mamés against Osasuna. Athletic will face the Arrasate team on Monday, January 9. The match against Navarrese will start at 9:00 pm.
Last season, with Marcelino on the bench, the duels against the rojillos were especially good for the rojiblanco team. The clash at El Sadar, the first of last year, ended in a 1-3 victory thanks to a hat trick from Sancet. The lanky Navarrese midfielder shone at the rojillo stadium.
Another former Osasunista, Berenguer in this case, opened the scoring in the second round match played against Osasuna in San Mamés. Villalibre then scored the final 2-0 in what was the last home match of the last edition of the league and of Marcelino as Athletic coach in San Mamés.
On the Saturday of the second week of January a new derby will take place for the people of Bilbao. Those in Valverde have to visit Anoeta on Saturday, January 9, in another meeting scheduled for 9:00 pm The lions did not do badly last season either in their rivalries against Real. One of the first rounds, held in Donostia, ended in a tie to one. Isak, from a penalty, opened the scoring in the 51st minute and Muniain, from a direct free-kick, set the tables in extra time. The San Mamés derby ended in a 4-0 win from Bilbao with goals from Vivian, Sancet, Iñaki Williams and Muniain.
Cup and classic in San Mamés
After the visit to Anoeta, Athletic must face their Cup round of 16 crossing should Eldense be left in the ditch. Then, back in the League, San Mamés will host one of the classics of the League. The visit of Real Madrid to the rojiblanco stadium is scheduled for the weekend of January 22, but the date has not yet been specified.
The lions, if they continue in the KO tournament, will face the round equivalent of the quarterfinals and end the January slope in Balaídos against Celta.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
