The bench should be key for Athletic

The passing of days leaves us with damages and penalties that test the banks’ level of competitiveness. This is the cotton test for those who don’t play much.

The match against Real Sociedad is not the most important of the year for Athletic, as they want us to believe from the other side of the A8, but no one can hide that there is always more than three points at stake. The rivalry, the fighting between friends and family makes this a special game, for better or worse. This time it came out with tails.

Teams that meet their goals rely on a long staff. We all know it’s impossible to keep all 24 players on a team happy, but if you want the team to not fail you need to have a good second unit. Footballers who come off the bench and keep the team line.

Conspicuous absences

Make sure the absence of theoretical starters is not too noticeable. The Athletic team missed Sancet and Ruiz de Galarreta on Saturday in Donostia, two key pieces in the midfield of Valverde’s team. If we add to these absences the return of a fair Nico Williams, we are left with a team with fewer alternatives. Furthermore, Unai Gómez was injured on the eve of attending the event at the Real Arena, depriving the rojiblanco coach of an extra rotation.

The greater presence of Iker Muniain was missed, in the game in which he became the second player in Athletic’s historical ranking. The red and white captain took a step forward in the second half. The players on the bench have to be one hundred percent when they are needed, but it is the coach’s job to have as many footballers as possible in the team dynamics to maintain the competitiveness of the group.

Last Saturday’s rivalry in Anoeta, while it may be hard to digest from a purely red and white perspective, has an easy football explanation. The lions failed in both areas, where this sport was decided.

The force was lacking in the three goals that Unai Simón received and when the lions crossed the opposite field they shot the goal that Remiro defended with a shotgun provided by the fairground. He couldn’t be more disappointed and above all more clear. When the ‘mangrove’ was sung, the ball repeatedly ended up unintelligible.

Iñaki Williams, who is the strongest player in the Bilbao team, twice missed clear opportunities; Guruzeta didn’t get a clear header either; Muniain was not with the goalkeeper of Txuri Urdin: Beñat Prados, who this time acted as a midfielder when he jumped on the field, saw how the former goalkeeper of Lezama took the ball from him that slipped. ..

When you say no, you mean no. Even the rebound of De Marcos’ shot that hit Villalibre could have gone in, but this was not the day. Sometimes it happens.