Athletic face the derby next Saturday at Anoeta from the European positions. The lions, who have the possibility of re-entering the Champions League against Osasuna, found themselves overwhelmed in the table at the end of this final day of the league by Betis and Villarreal. La Real, their next rival in the regularity tournament, is in third position and leads the rojiblancos by six points.
Valverde’s men were left without seeing a goal for the second consecutive time in the League. The lions have a good number of arrivals in the red area, but they lack accuracy and success in the final touch, either when coming to cross, or when coming to finish. The Navarrese defense, with Aitor Fernández under the sticks, made efficiency one of its main virtues.
The coach from Gasteiz changes the number of players in his starting eleven as the days pass. The usual Athletic lineup at the start of this campaign was formed by Unai Simón under the sticks with De Marcos, Yeray, Iñigo Martínez and Yuri, with the permission of the always versatile Lekue, in the defensive line.
The middle of the field arrived to share it with Sancet and Vesga with Muniain up front. Nico Williams and Berenguer acted as wingers with Iñaki Williams as a certain striker.
The idea remains
Valverde’s idea at the rear level remains very similar to the mandatory change of Vivian, who is already in top form, for the injured Iñigo Martínez. In the double pivot, the entry of Zarraga and even Dani García to replace Muniain was confirmed, forcing Sancet to play a few meters ahead.
Williams, who has been fixed in the starting eleven since almost the start of the season, was back to repeat against Jagoba Arrasate’s men, although both were open on the wing. Guruzeta, in such a situation, began to act as a certain center forward while Berenguer had to settle for following the formation of the derby from the bench.
Iñigo Martínez, Muniain and Berenguer made up, therefore, the list of starters at the beginning of the season that was relegated to substitution as the days passed. Vivian, Zarraga and Guruzeta, as they experienced against Osasuna, will be the new regulars, although the issue is open to many other alternatives. Dani García and Raúl García, for example, have had their struggles as starters so far this season.
Agirrezabala, Iru, Capa, Balenziaga, Paredes, Vencedor, Ander Herrera, Morcillo and Villalibre barely entered Valverde’s plans until the Liga. The rest of the lions, on the other hand, leave or enter the team depending on the needs.
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.
