The right side demarcation continues to bring the queue to Bilbao. A few years ago, even a few decades ago, no football player wanted to wear the number 2 on his back because it was considered a jinxed number. Now, despite the figure itself, the right position on the defense is appropriate to all sorts of debates and controversies in the rojiblanco environment.
Petxa, Athletic’s last ‘signing’ to land Lezama from Real, saw him wear 2 in his first season as a lion. De Marcos, Lekue and Capa, their rivals in that demarcation, have long opted for a different number despite having the right due to seniority at the rojiblanco club to choose the one they like best from the independents .
Under Marcelino’s commands, the issue of superstition at Athletic’s number 2 is virtually meaningless. It wore black pudding in its first year under the baton first by Garitano and then by the Asturian coach himself and, after his move to Valladolid, the number in question was passed on to the ownership of the said Petxa. The left handed winger from Amorebieta, by the way, inherited the same digit from Ganea who, in turn, received it from Kenan Kodro.
This season, in other words, the problems related to 2 have more to do with tactical issues or coach selection than anything else. While Lekue and De Marcos took over as starters on the right side, Petxa had his few options and Capa spent the entire season, except for the final minutes against Osasuna, on the bench or even on the stands.
The problem is spreading
Rounding out the right-back position at Athletic, the problem also spread to the rojiblanco subsidiary. Jesús Areso, the right-back who was called up to play for rojiblanco’s first team, has spent all of last season without competing by refusing to accept the renewal offer made to him at Lezama. Navarrese, for whom the Ibaigane entity paid his termination clause a few years ago, signed after Osasuna’s release, although due to a serious knee injury he was forced to spend almost the entire League blank.
When Areso left, Álvaro Nuñez’s name gained momentum when it came to being a future right-back for the rojiblanco first team. Nothing more than fact, saw what was seen, because Athletic will choose not to exercise the option to renew a puppy’s contract anyway today. Now, after the agur of Areso and Nuñez, the name of Hugo Rincón comes out of Lezama.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
