Usually the January slope is steeper, especially in Bilbao. In the absence of European competition for the last six seasons, the focus and enthusiasm of Athletic can be found in cup. And due to the distribution of the calendar, decisive periods are always concentrated in the first weeks of the year. The lions are used to it, not in vain that they had five consecutive appearances in the semifinals of the KO tournament. Far from accusing him, they brought out their best version.
He Athletic has passed the most demanding stage of the season with high scores, not least in terms of games. He played nine matches from January 4 to February 7. 35 days ended with a balance of seven wins, one draw and one loss for the men from Valverde. A dynamic that helped them consolidate their position in Europe League and reach the semifinals of cup and even dream about April 6 and The Charterhouse.
2023 brings down the curtain for Athletic 3 points from Champions and there is an income of 7 in the seventh and 9 in the eighth. Two positions that could provide a continental passport depending on how the season goes. Today the men from Bilbao are also 3 away from the fourth place, but they have increased the advantage over their pursuers. They started the day with +10 in non-European positions.
10 out of 15 points in the dispute in this sequence went to his backpack. Achievements in Sánchez Pizjuán (0-2), in the derby against Real society (2-1) and before the Majorca (4-0); a tie for nothing Cádiz (0-0); and a defeat, at Mestalla (1-0). Combine League and cup weighed his weight on these two journeys, though the Athletic continues its steady pace in the playoffs.
First he firmly resolved the duels of the neighborhood against Eibar (0-3) and Alavés (2-0). Then came the classic crossing with the Barça in a quarter that went to extra time (4-2) and finally the recent challenge to Metropolitan (0-1) in the first leg of the semifinals. The Zurigorris showed great strength and, above all, tremendous resilience. They have conceded just four goals in these nine games.
Now a partial truce is coming for Athletic. He had five days to recover before crashing in Almeria. Nothing will be easy despite being at the bottom, the players know this very well Girona As the real Madrid. What’s next for the troop? Valverde It is on Monday the 19th, certainly against those led by Michael. And then the schedule will tighten again for the lions. On Sunday the 25th they will play at Villamarinon Thursday 29th the semi-final closes with the Athletic and Sunday March 3rd Barcelona whoever visited San Mames.
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.
